Page 59 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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2. With roforeoce to tho general question of tho Ali-bin-Juma's status, I am to soy that
unless tho law of Maskat recognises naturalization aboard as a valid abnegation of bis former
nationality, Ali-bio-Jumu must, ordinaiily speaking, be regarded while in Muskat as a subject
of tho Sultnn.
3. But ns to the question of jurisdiction, in respect to tho particular civil suit which has
been filed against him in the Consular Court at Maskat, I am to observo that under section 6
of tho Maskat Order in Council, 18G7, Her Majesty’s Consul at Maskat has jurisdiction to try
all suits of a civil nature arising between British subjects, and tho provisions of that order
with regard to British subjects are declared under section 35 to extend to all subjects of Iier
Majesty whether by birth or naturalization. Regard being had to theso provisions the
Political Agent appears to be,pr'rnCt. facie, ontitlcd to exercise jurisdiction over Ali-bin-Juma;
and in viow of the allegations made by Ali-bin-Juma when be obtained his certificate of
naturalization at Bombay, and of a further foot that ho caused himself to bo enrolled ou the
Consular Register us a British subject, tho Government of India are disposed to think that be
may property bo regarded as debarred from pleading to tho jurisdiction oa tho ground that be
is not a Baitiah subject.
4. In those oircumstancos tho Government of India have no objeotion to the Consul at
Maskat trying tho caso so long as no objeotion is xaisod by tbo Maskat authorities.
199-A. Tho Sultan was anxious that Ali-bin-Juma should bo removed from
our protection, on the ground that this
8aeret E., April 1898, Not. 205 —209.
case and others of a similar nature had
been quoted by Mon. Ottavi, the French Vico-CJonsul, in jurisdiction of his
own action in according French protection to a number of .His Highness* 8uri
subjects, who had been granted the right to fly after a short residence in Obok
and other French possessions. As this request appeared reasonable and
accorded with the ruling in paragraph 2 of the above quoted Foreign Depart­
ment letter, Major Fagan struck out the man’s name from the Consular List
(Major Fagan to Resident, No. 3-B., dated 25th November 1897.)
200. The Political Agent’s action was approved by the Government of
India (Foreign Department No. 293-E.A., dated 18th February 1898).