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362. On 3rd March 1899, tho Secretary of State telegraphed that the
French Ambassador had been informed
8rcr«t B., Much 1809, No«. 722-777.
that an interpellation on the allairs would
be made on tho morrow in the French Chamber, to which M. Dolcasso would
reply that negotiations wero in progress, with a viow to Franco being accorded
a coal dop6t on samo terms ns England holds hers.
363. His Excollonoy tho Viceroy statod (telegram dated 4th March) in reply
that tho dep6t should be in tho Maskat harbour and on the snmo conditions u
as
ours, if elsowhoro the entire effect of tho recent occurrences would be destroyed.
8G4. Tho Secretary of State telegraphed on 10th March :—
'* It ia understood with French Government that wc eh«ll not object to coaling aheda in
Maskat harbour under sainu conditions ns ours. This satisfies them and ns regards Franco,
incident is virtually closed. As regards Sultan, Agent should at onco bo instructed to inform
him that if he receives any request for coaling sheds from French Agout, wo expect him to
oonsult our Agout as to situation and conditions before complying. ”
866. There was then tho question of tho Vazir Mahomed bin Azzan.
Be was hostile to tho Sultan beeauso of his
8ceret B , July 1800, No«. 4—03.
former dismissal, fine and imprisonment,
and would like to embroil the Sultan with tho British. Moreover, ho was a
Freoch nominee and was always writing to Abdul Aziz. In Major Fagan’s
opinion his removal was necessary in the interests of tho Stale as well as the
British Government. Major Fagan further thought that the Sultan might
accept a British official to superintend the customs if ho wore given a loan on
their security, that indefinite stoppage of subsidy would destroy the Sultan’s
remnants of power (Major Fagan to Colonel Meado, doted 20th March). The
Government of India did not propose at present to make future payments of
subsidy contingent upon financial control, nor to reduce subsidy because of fall
in exchange. Renewal would bo favourably considered, when recommended
on political grounds ; but customs question should be settled in advance, and
8ultan’s loyalty ascertained before reverting to ante statue quo (telegram dated
14th April).
866. The Secretary of State approved of the suggestions, and as to the ooal
sheds the arrangement approved of was that English and French Governments
should agree before as to procedure about coaling sheds and instruct
representatives accordingly ; but that there should be no joint communication
from the two Consuls to the Sultan. The right of the French was to be
restricted to occupancy on sufferance, conferring no territorial or sovereign
rights. Coal might be in charge of Agent or subordinate ; but there should b o
no question of protective works or of flying French flag over sheds. Complete
liberty of action should be reserved to tho Government of India and its Agent.
The British Agent should require the Sultan to oonsult him on application of
the FreDoh Agent.
367. After consultation with the Foreign Office, the Secretary of State
decided (Secretary of State’s despatch No. 14, dated 21st April 1899) that n<>
exception need be taken to intimation made by the Sultan of Maskat to tho
French CodsuI (.*-ee paragraph 340 above) refusing to recognise right of France
to exercise jurisdiction over Maskat subjects while residing in, or visiting,
bis dominions, provided Article IV of French Treaty of 1844 with Maskat was
not oontravened..
868. The Foreign Office on complaint of the French Ambassador animadver­
ted severely on Major Fagan’s “ unauthorised *' demand that proposals of
Frenoh Consul should be submitted by the Sultan to him for approval of Gov­
ernment of India.
369. On 2nd May the Secretary of State replied to the Government of
India despatch of 2nd March (see paragraph 3481 stating that they were right
to take measures to guard against repetition of misunderstanding, in view of
the results of French Consul's original action in obtaining the lease.
870. On Cth May lfc99, the Seorctnry of State telegraphed that M. Gambon
had addressed Lord Salisbury about estab­
8«er«t B., July 1809, Noi. 4—93. lishment of a coal depot on the same terms
as ours, but without giving details, and that Lord Salisbury would consider the
proposal when Major Fagan had reported on the precise situation desired oy
the French and that Major Fagan on learning Lord Salisbury's decision, mign
tell the 8ultan that Hie Highness might consent accordingly. Tho Govern-
ment of India directed Major Fagan to ascertain orally from M. utiav