Page 34 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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but its repetition gives it significance, and taken in connection with a remark in the earlier
int* rview, as to cur aid in his enforcement of our claims against the export trade of the rebels
perhaps indicates a dcsiro on His Highness’s part to lean more directly on the support of
Government The Sultan, however, on both occasions postponed a clearer expression of his
meaning or his wishes, saying ho would reply more fully later on important points.
8. Upon the result of the recent conflict as affecting tho authority of the ruler, and the
prestige of his powerful opponent, Sheikh Saleh bin Ali, it is too curly yet to form a mature
opinion. For all purposes of authority ovor tho tribes forming the late coalition against him
tho power of tho Sultan, always weak and seldom exerted, must now he, for tho timo at least*
nil. They hnve not received any ohastisement for their acts, and havo drawn u considerable
sum from the Sultan as tho price of peace. This and the heavy payments made to the friendly
Ghafri tribes, besides tho cost of their maintenance for a long period, added to tho b-ss of
privuto property and ou-loins dues, must hnve very seriously impoverished tho Sultau, to
whom money, us tho moans of maintaining a doubtful induoncc among tho tribes, is of tho
utmost valuo.
9. On the other hand, tho crisis has shown a numorous faction arrayed on his side, though
perhaps m*»re by reason of hereditary jealousies of tlioir Hinawi rivals than of pcrsonnl dovo-
tion, and this advantuge, if judiciously pressed, might be made means to iucreaso of strengths
10. As for Sheikh Saleh, his failure to carry to a successful issue tho dcolnred object of
setting up a new ruler, for whioh ho had collected a considerable Ilinawi following, cau
hardly fail to be injurious. His influenoo in tho Hiuawi faction lias long beon very great,,
and has made him always a formidable factor in tire politics of Oman Ho bus now failed to
achieve success in a momentous attempt and must to somo extont havo lost prestige. The
full aftereffects of tho struggle, however, await development, and need opportunity for
further observation.
11. On one point, however, that the heavy expenses and losses which havo fallen on the
Sultan must have quite crippled him financially, thorn can be no doubt. In this connection
I have to report that a week ago His Highnoss, while carfully avoiding auy direct request,
cr even formal reference, sounded me as to the reception Government would be likely to
accord to tho question of assisting him in tho way of a loan. I was of course unablo, in the
absence of instructions, to give an opinion, but added that a definite knowledge of His Highness’s
plans in reference to the situation would doubtless bo necessary to tho consideration of such a
proposal. The question is one that may possibly come up, and I accordingly submit it for
the consideration of Goveromout.
12. It is my gratifying duty in doping this report to bring to tbe favourable notioe of
Government the able and energotio conduct of Major Saddler, tbe very onerous and
responsible duties whioh devolved on him in the courso of these protracted troubles at
Maskat. The strain was a severe and prolonged one, and especially in its earlier stage wheu
very critical questions wero constantly arising, carried with it grave responsibility. Major
Saddler applied bimeelf to the difficulties confronting him with great firmness and ability, and
his mastery over the language and familiarity with the people of Oman and their affairs were
of extreme value. His acknowledgments to Captain Pelly of H. M. S. SpAmx, the senior
naval officer in the Gulf, have been recorded in his report, and it ouly roroaius to me to add my
cordial endorsement of his words.

Mo. 1005-E., dated Simla, tho 29th May 1895.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department,
To—Tbe Political Reiidont in the Porsian Gulf.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter marginally noted , enclosing copy
of a full report by tho Political Agent,, Maskat,
Ko. C, dated th« 21st March 1896.
on events connected with the late rising in Oman.
2. Details as to compensation to Britih subjects, for loss occasioned to their property
during the disturbances, cannot probably be settled until the work of tho Committee now
sitting to investigate the various claims is finished. Meanwhile the Government of India
approve of your view that reparation should be exacted from the offending tribes in the form
of a tax to be levied on their export trade, and that a demand for this should be made
on the Sultan.
8. Direct aotion against the tribes, such as that taken in 1879, after Sheikh Salih'■
Vidi correspondence coding with th« utt*r from attack on Mattrah, should bo avoided; but in
th» (JiTi-ruineut of India in the Foreign Depart, view of the slight authority exercised by tue
mem, Ko. 30S-B. P., dated tbe 18tb February lb8l. 6ultan over the tribes who rebelled against him,
and in order to assist him in recovering the tax he will bo called upon to impose, His Highness
may be authorised to notify in distinct terms to the tribes concerned that his demands upon
them are made at the instance of the British Government for aot6 oommitted by the tribes
against the property of British subjects during the rebellion.