Page 15 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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capitulating: the engagements of the Sultans of
Muscat to Her Majesty’s Government, and the
nets of friendliness, and of material support
afforded to them, particularly in checking the
attacks of hostile tribes on Muscat, made the
following demands upon the Sultan :—
(ff.) The abrogation of a cession of a piece of
territory for a coaling station to Franco (to which
lie had agreed without the knowledge of Her
Majesty’s Government).
(/;.) The dismissal of a confidential adviser,
Abdul Aziz, who was notoriously inimical to
British interests.
(c.) Payment of interest on certain sums due
as an indemnity to British subjects.
(<1.) Cessation of the levy of taxes on British
subjects which were not compatible with his
Treaty engagements.
(e.) The issue, of orders to his subjects for the
exclusive use of the Muscat flag.
Under threat of force the Sultan formally
complied with these terms, and wrote to the
French Consul declining to receive Abdul Aziz
(who was the Consul’s Munslii) as French
Agent.
About this time the opinion of the Law
0dicers of the Crown was sought ns to certain
aspects of the Anglo-French Declaration of 1802,
engaging Great Britain and Franco to respect
the independence of the Sultan of Muscat.
They expressed themselves as follows:—
“ 1. 'fhe Declaration of lSi»2 docs not in our opinion
require the British Government to nbstuiu from exer­
cising a preponderating influence in Muscat, so long as
that iufliieuco is not exerted in any way inconsistent
with tho independence of Muscat. For instance, the
subsidy, and tlio terms on which it was made payable,
involved no breach of tho Declaration.
“2. We think that the British Government would be
justified in puuishing or oven deposing a particular
Sultan who broke his engagements with the British
Government. Tho undertaking contained in the
Declaration is an engagement to respect tho indepen­
dence of tho Sovereigns of Muscat as representing the
country, and does uot carry with it un inability to
punish any particular Sovereign ior broaches of Treaty
or of international law. For this the consent of
Fmuco is not necessary. But it would be a breach
of the Declaration if ufter deposing a particular Sultan
a successor were set up who was not independent
“ We should add that, whilst tho question whether
tho Sultan could consistently with tho Declaration be