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69 After pence had been restored frequent representations were made to
the Sultan urging him to dismiss his allies as soon as ho possibly could; but
this necessarily took time, the claims of all tho tribes had to be satisfied by
payments in cash, tho Sultan’s resources were crippled and there was difficulty
in obtaining boats for thoso who had to return by sea. In view of these consi­
derations and of the fact that this was not a time to consider our claims against
the Sultan and tako any action which would further add to his difficulties5, the
Resident authorized Major Saddler to continue tho payment of tho subsidy as
usual. His Highness’s cheque was presented on tho 13th March and tho payment
then made was of considerable service to His Highness in his straitened circum­
stances, and helped to disembarrass him of a portion of his supporterss.
70. The attitude of the rebel chiefs towards tho British Government was
satisfactory throughout. They camo as they said to rule and not to loot, and
their acts wore in accordance with their words. For tho Grst few days of tho
disturbance when the town was wholly in their hands, not a complaint of tho
robbery or theft was received, and their arrangements for tho protection of life
and property left nothing to he dcsirod.
In tho Political Agent’s dealings with thorn wo found them anxious to moot
all his wishes, and on more than one occasion they assured him that tho tribes of
Oman desired nothing but the friendship and support of the British Govern­
ment. It was not till tho 11th day of tho occupation that any robbery took
place on their bide, and thenceforward it was apparent that the tribesmen were
becoming impatient at the protraotion of hostilities, and getting more and moro
out of band. Later on the tension increased, and finally ended in general
pillage and destruction. For this the leaders were, in the Political Agent’s
opinion, directly responsible, and this responsibility they admitted, though it was
not accepted by us as sufficient. That the chiefs were unable to control their
followers was no excuse whatever for the violation by the tribesmen of British
property—a fact which rou interest would require us to demonstrate to the
offending tribes in a forcible manner.
71. The Sultan abstained from giving us any information as to the terms
which the rebels exacted from him as the price of their withdrawal.
They were believed to be—
(«) The payment of a cash sum variously estimated at from §12,000 to
§17,000.
(6) The continuance to the leaders and the Rustak family of tho allow­
ances they formerly enjoyed.
(c) Forgiveness for past acts.
72. The following report of Colonel Wilson and the orders of the Govern­
ment of India thereon show on what
Ibid, Not. 210-65.
grounds the British attitude during the
rebellion was justified, and what lines the Indian Government wished the
Resident to follow in exacting compensation for the loss caused to the British
subject:—
No. C., d&tud Mask].!, (Lo 21st March 1S93.
From— Colonel F. A. Wilson, Political RcsiJont, Porsian Gulf,
To—The Secretary to tho Government of India, Foreign D«partmoit.

3. My attitude throughout has been, in accordance with the established policy of Govern­
ment of non-intervention in the internal affairs
Si-crct E., July 1695, Noa. 175-268.
of Oman, one of strict neutrality, this bod been
adopted by Major Saddler from the first moment, wh*n the rebels, having by a treacherous
blow seized the town, hail obliged the Sultan to retire to his forts. Interference after the
means for it had become available, even with the direct and sole object of guarding British
interests, could hardly have taken any other form than that of a participation in, and direotion
of, the Sultan's operations against hie enemies. This would have been a necessity of the
position as actually existing. The homos, shops, and stores of our subjects are scattered

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