Page 160 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

144,

OHAPTEE XXVII.
Certain dangerouB Political Exiles.
(i) Roturn of Hilal bin Amir to Sur and liis intriguoa, 1900.
652. Ililnl bin Amr, a political Omani ddtonu in East African (soo para,
p.crct b.. Aogu.t loo?, Noi. 218-220. 106 ante) unexpectedly returned from
Captain Cox to Coioooi Komiaii, No. 317, Africa and lauded at Sur on 19th Mnv luno
d.t.d SOth Juu. H() inl0ryiew0(, 0ttftyi ^ a(4e3gU0Uj
the assembled Jennebeh elders, pointing out that their chief enemies wore tho
English and Sheikh Eaisal, and that tho French are their real friends. Ho
urged them to plaoo tbomselves under the French protection by taking their
flag. Tho Sultan felt greatly annoyed on learning of Hilnl’a return and doings.
In order to remove the had impression Hilal had created His Highness visited
Sur on the Sphinx, and this being his first since his accession, ho was woll
received aud was able to reconcile tho tribes (soo paras. 106 et seq.).
653. But Captain Cox feared that as soon as His Highness returned to
Mnskat, Hilal would renew his intrigues and stir up disaffection against the
Sultan. Ho therefore proposed that ho should ho deported again to Africa.
654,. Sir A. Hardingo was prepared to receive hack Hilal, and tho Govern­
ment of India asked the Secretary of Stato for permission to cause tho Political
Resident, Persian Gulf, to inform tho Sultan of Maskat, that His Highness was
at liberty to expel him. Should Hilal howover consent to withdraw from
Oman of his own accord, it would not ho necessary to take any further action
(Despatch No. 119*Socret E., dated 16th August 1900).
The permission asked for was granted
Bicret H., Angait 1901, Hoi. 04-112 (No. G5).
by tho Secretary of State (telegram dated
6th Octohor 1900).
(ii) Proposed removal of Abdul Aziz from Maskat and of the interdict on his visiting
the Sultan on 1900-05.*

655. At the close of the year 1900 the quostion was raised as to the
advisability of sending back Abdul Aziz
Saoret E., Aaguit 1991, No*. 94-112.
to Zanzibar and Captain Cox in his letter
No. 496, dated 29th September 1900, stated that Abdul Azizas well as Hilal bin
Amir were a source of great anxiety to the Sultan and that His Highness
would be glad to get rid of him. Lord Lansdowne, however, pointed out,
that as long as Abdul Aziz was the dragoman of the French Consulate at
Maskat, he was under French protection, and no stops could be taken for his
removal against bis will, unless he was proved to be guilty of some serious
offence which would necessitate his dismissal from French employment (Foreign
Office to India Office, dated 20th December 1900).
656. On 17th January 1901 the Viceroy enquired of the Secretary of State
whether the Sultan of Zanzibar might not again bo approached to withdraw
his opposition to the return of Abdul Aziz, as the latter would be less trouble­
some at Zanzibar than at Maskat.
657. The Secretary of 8tate wired baok on 10th March 1901.
“ Pending completion of negotiations in progress with France in regard to abandonment
by France of territorial jurisdiction in Zanzibar, Foreign Office ooneidor inopportune to press
Zanzibar to permit Abdul Aziz to return.
658. In June 1903, Major Cox suggested tho desirability of getting a hold
over Abdul Aziz, for whom the Sultan
8«cret E„ September 1903, Nc«. 115-122.
had a personal regard and who was probably
disgusted with his position. The Government of India saw no way to employ
him in British service or to send him back to Zanzibar and was not inclined
to encourage intercourse between him and Major Cox (No. 1796-E-, datod
8th August 1903).
• Pe- para*. 288 «nd 289 about Abdul Axiz, tho French Dragoman at Maskat. Chapter XVIII deal* among othar
thing* with the question of hia eipuliion, etc.