Page 22 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER III.

Inter-tribal wars and Sultan’s policy, 1892—95.

17. " Tho policy-of the Saltan Sayyicl Faisal towards the tribes,” remarks
Major Hay Saddler in bis Administra­
M nit at Agency Aduiioiitration Report, 1893*94.
tion Report of tho Maslcat Political
Agenoy for the yoar 1893-91, " is not marked by that energy and firmness
whioh they would wish to see their ruler oxercise towards the settlement of
their fouds, which so frequently break out between them. Interference in
tlioir internal affairs they aro very ready to resent, but they have boon aocus-
tomed to look to their central authority for a docisiou in tho matter of their
differences with their neighbours and in this rospeot tho action of the Sultan
is often neither timely nor sufficiently assertive. On tho other hand, tho Sultan’s
hold over tho tribes is but slight, and aggressivo or coercive measures might
lead to inconvenient reprisals.”
18. '* Oman,” Major Saddler further ohsorvos, " has enjoyed a period
of tranquillity for the last five years which is porhaps without a parallel in
the annals of its history, and to this Sayyid Faisal's mild and little felt rule
has, in a measure, contributed. But other causes have been at work—those
who have it in their power to cause mischief aro either'absent or disinclined
to move ; no new leader has risen, round whom political intrigues could focus,
and the Sheikhs remember that in their attempts against Maslcat in tho reign
of Sayyid Toorkee, the Sultan received assistance from the British Govern­
ment.”
19. This passage offers a fitting introduction the history of the inter­
tribal wars from 1892 to 1395, when corcain of tho tribes rose against the
Sultau.
20. The year 1892 was signalized by tho re-opening of hostilities between
tho Ghafiri tribes of tho Semayil valley and the Hinawi tribes of the Sharkiveh.
Rumours had been current for some time
Alnsknt Admiiiiilntion Report for 1892-93.
of au intended coalition of the Ghafiri
tribes with a view to cutting off the communications of the Hinawi of the
Sharkiyeh with Maskat and Matrah, and it was known that the Habus were by
no means satisfied with tho award made by His Highness in 1891. The peace
then concluded was not expected to last. No collision, however, occurred till the
middle of August when the Habus raided on the Ralibiyeen and made off
with seven hundred goats ; the latter tribe not being able to obtain satis­
faction, the Ghafiri tribes of the Semayil valley joined together and blocked
the roads leading to the capital against Hinawi caravans from the Sharkiyeh.
Matters remained in this state for some months, no actual fighting taking
place; several attempts made by His Highness to bring about an understand­
ing failed, and trade with the Sharkiyeh was at a standstill. In the mean­
while eight hundred of the Nidabiyeen, tho Ralibiyeen and the Beni Jabir leav­
ing the passes blocked marched on Masfa. burnt the village and cut down
two hundred date-palms belonging to the Tamimah in retaliation for a murder
of a Nidabi who was answerable for the safe conduct of a small party of the
Beni Harth, Beni Amir, and Beni Hadrarn on their return journey to the
Sharkiyeh when they were attacked by the Tamimah. About the middle of
January 1893 His Highness came to the conclusion that he could no longer
with due regard to his own prestige hold aloof from the affairs of the Semayil
▼alley, and that more active measures than he had hitherto employed had
become necessary ; be accordingly set out via Sib to personally settle the diffe­
rences between the contending factions ; he was certain of the co-operation of
the Ghafiris, but it was questionable whether the Sheikhs of Habus would
come in. After some negotiations these Sheikhs met the Sultan, and peace was
oonoluded on the condition that the Habus should pay their. opponents
$ 1,200 as compensation for lifo and property. As this compensation was m
reality to be defrayed by tho Sultan, the Habus accepted the terms, and after
the conclusion of the negotiations returned to their homos, taking the opportu­
nity on the way of looting some cattle from one of the tribes with whom they