Page 30 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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hands of the robols would alono Iiavo boon sufficient to make tho policy
of strict neutrality, which bo had adopted from the first, one of absolute noers-
sity. Tho robols employed their time during tho day in wrecking tho Sultan’s
palaces and auctioning nil his furniture and effects which they had not des­
troyed. Several pieces of furniture and other articles were bought in by
Baniahs to return to His Highness; and order was issued forbidding British
subjects from having any dealings with tho rebels in this connection on their
own account.. A letter was recoived from Sheikh Abdullah suggesting a com­
munity of interests between himself and Major Saddler, and intimating his rondi-
ness to abide by what the Political Agent thought advisablo in the interests of
all; to this tho lattor replied that what ho required in tho present state of affairs
in Maskat was tbo offootual protection of our subjects and tlieir property from
his followers.
58. In tho afternoon of the 17th February Major Saddler having called on
the Sultan, Ilis Highness wished to know (1) whethor tho Political Agent
could mediato betwoon him and tho rebels and got them to leave the town
boforo damage was dono to property, and (2) who would be responsible for
damage dono if be dosoonded from tho fort and tried to recover tbo town. To
His, Highness’s first quory Major Saddler replied that he should bo happy to
afford his good offices, when the proper timo for mediation should arrive, hut
that ho doubted whether tho opening of negotiations on the' basis indicated by
His Highness would servo any useful purposo in tho present state of affairs, as
tho rebels had as yet received no check, and they had clearly intimated that
their object in soizing Maskat was to obtain tho Government; and on tho
Sultan assuring him that he intended to fight and drive the rebels out, tho
Political Agent pointed out to him that any overtures might very likely be
interpreted by tbo rebels as a sign of weakness on his part.
In offoring bis good offices with a view to mediation should an opportu­
nity occur the Political Agent was aware that ho should have to be careful to
in r.o way compromise Government with any guarantee to either side.
In reply to the Sultan’s second question, Major Saddler said that only a
general answer could now bo given, the Government of a country wa9. respon­
sible for tho safety of property in its town. He added that when the rebels
first appeared, he warned them that they would bo hold responsible for all
damage occurring from their acts, but now they had held possession of the town
for five days without auy destruction to property, and tho situation had some­
what changed.
69. The Resident Colonel Wilson and the Political Agent hold on 2nd
March an interview with the rebels’ representatives, Sheikh Mohsin-biu-Amin
and another Sheikh of the Earth. Asked why they had noted as they bad
done, they said they wished for a ruler on whom all would bo agreed. On its
being pointed out to them that all the Hinawis wero not with them, they
replied that they were, although all the tribes had not yet appeared in strength,
they were coming, and all had representatives with them. As regards Zanzi­
bar, they said they had acted on their own behalf and not on behalf of tho
Sultan of Zanzibar. With regard to the complaints of looting they said they
had dono all in their power to stop it and restrain their followers, over whom
they admitted they now had not full control. They admitted their responsibility
for any damage done which they said they would make good. Asked how
they replied that Sheikh Saleh had wealth and would give full compensation.
With regard to their objects, they said they icishcd to offer the SuUanutc to the
Sultan of Zanzibar, and failing him to one. of the sons of Sauyid sizzan-bin-
Kai*. They were anxious that their objects as above should be reported to
Government by wire and were told in reply that so far from their wishes re­
presenting the general opinion of the country, there was no evidence to show
that it was the general wish of the Hinawis as their numbers were small and
the Ghafiris outnumbered them 4 to 1. They said that the wish of Sheikh
8aleh was the wish of the Hinawis.
60. They were told that a small numbor of thorn had attacked Sayyid
Faisal, who for years had been the friend of Government, and bad thrown the
place into confusion and disorder, and caused injury and damage to British