'File 35/134 I A. 40. Sur: Amirs of Jaalan' [‎79v] (177/596)

should expect from the High British Government as they used to give in
important affairs, and that the views of the Majlis are required before any
action be taken in the matter. We therefore submit to you oar views and
opinions in details on the subject.
Usual Ending.
Decision of Majlis.
The port of Sur is an important port to the Government of Muscat and is
considered to be the third port in importance after Muscat and Matrah from
a commercial point of view as it is a port in which goods are imported from the
Eastern Oman and an important bazaar for its tribes. Goods are imported into
Sur by land as well as by sea and also exported from it. The Government of
Muscat receive a considerable amount of revenue from Sur. This is from the
economical and commercial point of view.
As regards its political situation Sur is one of the important ports to the
Government of Muscat as it is a resort for all tribes of that part who arrive and
depart there for the purpose of transaction of business. Eor that reason the
Government of Muscat had absolute influence and control over that part. The
inhabitants of Sur are almost the four sections of the Jenabah tribe and are
obedient to the Government who make peace and settle their internal disputes
whenever they arise between them.
As regards the sons of al Hamuda, Chiefs of Beni Bu Ali of Ja'alan, they
were since olden times obedient to the orders of and friendly to the Muscat
Government. Shaikh Abdullah bin Salim father of these Chiefs was especially
a faithful friend of the Muscat Government. He used to assist with his
followers in affairs concerning the Muscat Government whenever he was
called upon to do so and maintained that attitude till the end of his life. The
Muscat Government in recognition of his services sanctioned a monthly allow
ance for him. When he died his sons, viz. Ali bin Abdullah and Muhammad
bin Nasir succeeded him and at the beginning of their mle followed in
the footsteps of their late father in consequance of which the Government
agreed to pay the same allowance to them which their father used to get it.
Their behaviour has recently changed at the instigation of some one and
consequently they have put forward some claims which they have no right to
do nor their fathers who were before them had enjoyed such privileges. In
1924 hostilities and fighting broke out between the two tribes namely A ramah
and Makhanah which continues up to now. The sons of Hamudah asked the
Government of Muscat for permission to make peace between the aforesaid tribes
and the Council accorded this to them. This request was made by them both
verbally and in writing and their letters are on the record of the Majlis*. They
i.iterferedat the beginning in the affairs of Sur in this way but they had another
object in view and that was their absolute control over Janabah and Sur. They
were not contented with this but established a Customs House at Aiqa for
collecting revenue and notified openly to that effect. Owing to the hostilities
between the Aramah and Makhanah they have recently entered Sur with their
force in order to establish their authority over the inhabitants pretending that
they had been ordered by the Government of Muscat to make peace between al
Aramah and al Makhanah tribes but they have got a different object in view.
They have commenced hostilities and fighting with those who did not comply
with their wishes. The Majlis then sent Deputies to Sur to investigate into the
affair but they (Beni iiu Ali) told them that they were acting according to the
orders of the Government. The Deputies asked them to stop the fighting which
was against the wishes of the Government but they did not obey and thus
their secret intentions that is their control over Sur, collection of revenue and
aggression to the inhabitants became known. In view of the foregoing facts
it is necessary that the condition of Sur should be put risrht and saved from
these transgressions because Sur is considered as one of the limbs of the
Muscat Government and no other authority but the Government of Muscat
should rule over it..