Page 77 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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would bo tantamount to direct interference between His Highness and his
subjects. Colonel Meade, therefore, proposed to refer tlio matter to Govern­
ment with what Major Pagan had to say on the matter (letter No. 279,
datod 20th July 189b).
279. Major Fagan considered the ca^o an exceptional ono requiring exceptional
treatment. In submitting tlio correspondence to Government, Colonel Meade
obsorvod that ho was afraid that Major Fagan had not obtained sufficiently
trustworthy information so as to justify the inference that the Sultan had
proceeded against the two Sheikhs in violation of any promises Colonel Wilson
and Captain Bcville might have given to the people of Dhofar. Colonel Meade
thought that the only assurance given was to the effect first that tlio leading
men and others who had come in would bo freo to return unmolested
and that tho British authorities would uso their good offices to ensuro the
safety and good treatment of all who submitted. Do, therefore, proposed to
inform Major Fagan to exercise his good ojjices on behalf of the Sheikhs, but
to abstain from direct interference in their behalf or other inhabitants of
Dhofar without a previous reference to Government and generally to avoid
making irritating demands, in which the Government of India might not be
able to support him (letter No. 41-S.-A., datod 7th August 1898).
280. Tlio Government of India concurred generally in Colonel Meade's
views and suggestion, and added (No. 145G9-E., datod 18th October 1898):—
“ The importance of adopting a conciliatory attitude towards the Sultan and of endea­
vouring in every possible manner to gain ilia Highness’s confidence should bs strongly im­
pressed on Major Fagan.”
281. Acting upon this advice, when Major Fagan visited the Sultan on
13th Decomber, ho congratulated His
B«eret E, March 1899, Not. 412.
Highness on his approaching marriage
with the sister of Sheikh Ibrahim-bin-Kais, and suggested that such an
occasion would be a fitting ono for the exercise of clemency towards tho two
8heikhs. The Sultan was pleased to release them the noxt day.
282. Had Major Fagan displayed this tact previously, he need not have
roused tho resentment and hostility of the Sultan by tho arrogant tone he
adopted towards His Highness in demanding tho roleaso of the Sheikhs, which
was very ill advised at a time when tho Sultan was known to regard the British
with much suspicion and to have thrown himself in the arms of tho French. It
was the belief, moreover, of Major Fagan that the Sultan had never relished the
necessity of the British intervention iu the rebellion of Dhofar, as he feared it
might load to the British taking Dhofar under their protection. Major Fagan’s
recent proceedings must therefore have gone far to strengthen his suspicions.
283. At tho 8arao time wo find M. Ottavi, tho French Consul, skilfully
feeding tho Sultan's suspicions of the British motives and doing every thing to
increase his impatience of the British control. M. Ottavi was not slow in again
and again reminding the Sultan of tho great service done by the French to
Maskat by the declaration of 18G2, which secured his dominions independence
from “ British intrigues.” The Sultan was shrowd enough to see that he could
easily play tho British against the French, and this ho did as we shall see
hereafter.

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