Page 38 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

22

79. A notification announcing tbe Resolution of the British Government
was
--- issued to the leading Sheikha by the
Ibid, No. 179.
Sultan. As the holding of a Darbar would
not be easy and involve heavy expenditure, the Sultan wished to postpone
it to a more favourable opportunity. The Political Agent recommended thiB
proposal, as the loading Sheikhs had received the proclamation and knew the fact
well (Resident's telegram dated 31st January 1896). The Political Agent was
only advised to impress thowarniug on the Sheikhs visiting Maskat.
(v) Present of arms and ammunition to tho Sultan of Maskat, 1895.

80. In his letter No. 86, dated 10th April 1895, Major Saddler proposed
that the Sultan of Maskat might bo provid­
8ecret E., Jul/ 1890, Noe.73*73*A.
ed with a moderate amouut of new
arms and ammunition for tho defeuce of his territory against future attacks.
Major Talbot supported this proposal.
81. The Government of India decided to present His Highness with two
6J-inch mortars, including beds, one hundred rounds of ammunition per
mortar, and the necessary side-arms (Foreign Dopartmeut No. 93-E., dated
13th January 1896).
82. The arms and ammunition were sent by tho Lawrence and were duly
presented to the Sultan on 29th May 1896.
(vi) Proposed protectorate over Maskat, 1896.

83. The Viceroy telegraphed to the Sec­
Secret E., August 1800, Noi. 167*164.
retary of State on 25th January 1896:—
u Please refer to Lord Croes’s despatch No. 29, dated 24th October 1890,* and my des­
patch No. 183, dnted 9th July 1895.t The ottitude of the Sultan has recently been very un­
satisfactory, particularly in regard to Dhofar affairs, detailed reports of which will he sent next
mail. There are indications o/acltve French intrigues at Maskat and on the Arab coast. Might
Madagascar affuirs afford opportunity for securing French consent to our protectorate over
Maskat? If possible we would strongly urge that the opportunity should be taken.”
84. The Secretary of State replied on 11th July 3896
11 The Foreign Office appreciates the importance of trying to secure a British protectorate,
but considers that the measure could not be successfully accomplished at the present time.”
(vii) Question of indemnity for losses suffered during the Rebellion.
85. We have seen above that the Government of India approved the pro­
posal that indemnity for the recent rebellion should be exacted from tbe
offending tribes in form of tax levied on
Secret E, December 1895, Noi. 35*51
their export trade. The Sultan was autho­
rised to notify that the demand was made at the instance of the British Gov­
ernment, hut was made to understand that his *own responsibility was in no
way lessened. The tax was to bo such as to produce amount required in 2 or
at most 3 years (Foreign Department letter No. 1065-E., dated 29th May 1895).
The Sultan practically accepted the proposal without condition.
85-A. On the question of preference between British and Maskat subjeotsi
the Government of India ruled that the British subjects were to be compensated
first, thereafter the Maskat subjects might be compensated also, but tbe tax to
be repealed when compensation completed. The American subject (Revd. Mr.
Zwemer) and French subject (an Algerian) were to be treated as British
subject. The Government could not agree to support the Sultan if he were
attacked on account of tax (Foreign Department letter No. lt'61-E., dated 30th
August 1896). Additional tax on dry and pressed dates, 20 per cent., was
calculated to produce $z8,026 per annum, or allowing for accidents, eta,
$20,000.

• Cbepter I, paragraph 12, ante*
f Paragraph 74, anti.