Page 78 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER XVII.
Manifestations of French Activity and Sayyid Faisal’s Hostility to
the British.
(i) French protection oxtondcd to Maskat subjects flying tlio Fronch flag on their
dhows.

284. While the Sultan was growing impatient of the British preponderance
in Maskat, the French found it easy more largely than ever to have recourse to
a bold device to introduce their imperium in imperio in His Highness’s
dominions. There being few French subjects or natives of countries under
their protection in Maskat dominions, they proceeded to manufacture French
protected persons out of the Sultau’s own subjects : for the mere consideration
of the Arabs—especially those at Sur—paying the price of a hut or plot of ground
In Obokh, Jibuti or Madagascar, which perhaps never existed or has never beon
seen by them, or the security of a local French protected resident, the French
granted thorn papers which not only entitled them to carry Fronch flags on
their dhows and to claim French protection in the broad seas, hut on which
they sought and succeeded in obtaining the French protection in the Sultan’s
territory.
286. We have already given a history of the praotico up to the yoar 1898
in Chapter XIV.
5(86. From Major Fagan’s report to Colonel Meado, No. 401, dated 31st
October 1898, it appears that in May 1898, the Sultan was prevailed upon by
the Vazir Sayyid Said to commence correspondence with Mons. Ottavi regard­
ing the question of jurisdiction over Suri dhows flyiug the French flag. The
French Vice-Consul resented the opening of this inconvenient question and
urged the dismissal of Sayyid Said as being unfit on account of the latter’s
bias towards the British, to give an impartial decision to the Sultan in matters
on which both the governments were concerned. Wo shall fiud that by the
! end of the year this pressure brought about tho downfall of the unfortunate
Minister.
287. These Fronch papers have been given chiefly to tho inhabitants of
8ur including a large number of the Jenebeh tribe. The Arab tribes of the
place are not very loyal subjects of the Sultan, being in many respects autono­
mous. Yet they acknowledge him as their chief, pay him certain duties, and
are admitted as his subjects. An idea had grown up that the Arab vessels
flying the Frenoh colours are secure from all interference, even from tho British,
never mind what traffic they might he carrying on.
While calculated to weaken our influence over Oman, the extensive grant of
this Frenoh privilege did much more fo undermine the Sultan’s power. Yet
His Highness at first either was hardly in a position to oppose the practice : 60
completely had he gradually passed under M. Ottavi's influence.
(ii) Employment of Abdul Aziz by both the Sultan aud French Consul as a medium of
consultation.
288. In bringing tho Sultan to this helpless condition, M. Ottavi found an
able instrument in one Abdul Aziz, who had been exercising a commanding
influence in Maskat in the French interests.
289. Abdul Aziz, an intriguing and mischievous character, and AngVphobe
had been dismissed from the Zanzibar
Major Fagan's memoranda dated 4th and 6th No-
▼etcher and 12th Docomboi 18'J8. service in 1893. While at Zanzibar he had
been an intimate friend of M. Ottavi,
Secret E., Maroh 1809, No*. 722-777 (No*. 748,
747 and 748). and then a dragoman in the Frenoh Con­
sulate. In 1893, he went to Maskat, where
T«,«!,«n from th* viooroy to the BooreUry of he was employed as a Munshi by. the Sul-
arc J' tan on a monthly salary of 26 dollars,
J6i<f'No-773- which he received regularly till October
1898. In 1894, M. Ottavi came as French Vice-Consul to Maskat, and with tbe