Page 92 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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object if the request was limited to shod or sheds and carried no territorial
political rights. The Secretary of State was of opinion that the result of the
recent action combined with such procedure should be to establish for the future
the paramount ])03ilio'i in Maskat of the JJritish Government.
346. The Political Agent, Maskat, in his telegram dated the 28th February
1899, reported that the Sultan’s atiitudo regarding Abdul Aziz was on o' of
duplicity, and that lie had therefore deemed it advisable to withhold for the
present the paymont of the subsidy, lie further pointed out that Abdul Aziz
was busily engaged in raising the tribes of the Sharkiyeh against the British by
telling them that the British Government intended to’ annex Oman. *
The following telegram was sent to Major Fagan :—
If facts are as stated in your telegram, you aro authorised to withhold subsidy. Please
roport evidence on which they re»t and do not charge Sultan with bad faith without, authority
from Resident.
347. The Sultan was found still receiving Abdul Aziz by day and night.
Abdul Aziz was also iu Sharkiyeh endoavouring to raise the tribos’against the
British. The Viceroy, therefore, thinking the moment inauspicious, suspended
the communication proposed by the Secretary of State, informing the latter
accordingly. TbeAgont was authorised to withhold the subsidy.
348. In thoir despatch to the Secretary of State, No. 38, dated 2nd March
1S99, alter reviewing the previous history
Socict E., March 1599, Nob. 101-212. (No. 210).
of Maskat, tho following observations wore
made:—
The publicity on which Lieutonaut-Colonel Mende insisted, went, as has been remarked
further than we had contemplated, and might possibly be represented as unnecefsary for the
execution of the object, in view, before, however, such a criticism be passed it would be fair
to regard the circumstances from a local as well as from a wider point of view. No part of
the proceedings has more impressed upon the Sultan and upon his people the gravity of tba
situation which His Highness’s late action had brought upon him, or has had a greater effect
in clearing from his mind the misconception of his position which ho owed to the promptings
of advisers intent upon alienating Ilis Highness from his ancient alliance. It is, perhaps,
impossible for a petty ruler of au Oriental State, such as the Sultan of Maskat, to realise his
position in relation to powerful foreign Governments or to understand tho limits of diplomatic
action based upon the principle of equal treatment; and he had undoubtedly been led to regard
the presence and proceedings during the past five years of a representative of France at
Maskatasan encouragement to himself in a course of action dictatedlose by a vindication of his
own independence than by disregard of his obligations to Great Britain.
If the question were asked on what grouuds other than those of increasing their political
influence the French should wish to establish a coaling station on the coast of Oman, it is
one which the subjects of the Sultan and the Sultan himself would probably find some diffi­
culty in answering, and to which wo are ourselves unable to suggest a reply. Coal for the
requirements of the very rare visits of French men-of-war, when asked for, is readily supplied
from our sheds. As a matter of fact the French gun-boat which visited Maskat in October did
not coal there at all. French trade, as has beeu pointed out is insignificant, even when the
r« turns include that which is carried in those quasi-French bottoms whose claim to nationality
is supported by the peculiar device of presenting commanders wiih a Freach flag. French
steamships, other than tho>c of the Navy, are hardly knowo in the Gulf. In the year 1897
not a single French steamship entered the harbours of Oman. Nor is tho solution simplified
by a scrutiny of the action of the French themselves. If a coal depot wore wanted, there is
no apparent rcasou for secrecy, for establishing it in another locality than the port of tiade,
or for considering, throughout the greater part of the year subsequent to obtaiuiug permission
for its establishment, at which spot on the coast it would be best to locate it.
"We venture to think, however, that the entire question should be regarded not merely
in its local application, but also from the wider stand point of national interest, and of the
influence which may legitimately be claimed, not alone by parity of treaty right, but by the
concrete facts of history and geography, by Great Britain and Prance respectively in Oman.
Jf b'rcnc/i susceptibilities have been offended by the firm vindication of British interest*
the recent occur)ences at Alaskat, we on our part have, we consider, far more valid and more
solid ground Jor remonstrance) against a course of action for which we can imagine no motive
except that of supplenling our influence with the Sultan of that country. This influence is,
at we have shown, a century old, and is the legitimate and inevitable consequence of neighbour
hood, of a long course of friendly action, of close commercial relations, and of the subsidised
portion in which the Sultan has now stood for 25 years towards the Government of India.
The recent zeal of the French can point to no\material interests, of whose existence we are aware
to justify it.