'File 8/67 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: MUSCAT – OMAN TREATY.' [‎58r] (120/316)

Agent Major Haworth addressed a very strong letter to the leaders in March
1919. Considerable correspondence resulted and finally Sheikh Isa met the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Sib on the loth September 1919.
By this time it had h en realised, and the realisation was more than
confirmed at the meeting, that the recognition of the Sultan in the interior
was as impossible as that he should reconquer Oman by force. His own
territory was on its last legs. He only stood at all with our support. The best
means was therefore the recognition of the status quo and the terms discussed
and which it seemed might eventually form the basis of an agreement were that
the Sul<an—
( 1 ) should remove all restrictions on entry lo the town of the coast.
( 2 ) reduce the zakat on goods coming from the coist towns to the
interior to 5 per cent.
(3) return fugitive from justice.
(d) release the four Omani prisoners.
And that the Omanis—
(1) should guarantee not to attack the Sultan’s territory or interfere in
his Government.
( 2 ) should guarantee the safety of travellers and freedom of trade.
(3) should hear and decide cases against Omanis.
(4) should return fugitives from justice.
( 5 ) should return the valuable gardens belonging to two of the most
important of the Sultan’s subjects seized oy the Omanis.
3 Events fron** October 1919 to October lv20 including the final settle m
ment. —The situation therefore on my arrival in October was-
( 1 ) The reform of the administration of the territory controlled by the
Sultan had to be taken in band.
(2) An agreement was to be arranged if possible through the mediation
oi the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. between the Imam s party and the Sultan.
It was at once clear that these two matters were closely bound together.
In the first place the strengthening of the Sultan’s administration would
inevitably result in a decrease in the comparative power of the Omanis In
the second place an agreement and the establishment ot peace would enable the
reform of the administration to be proceeded with with more rapidiiy.
The reform of the administration was therefore tackled with vigour, and
Sheikh Said bin Nasir al-Kindi a prominent mullah of the Ibadhi sect resident
in the territories of the Sultan, and greatly respected in Oman, was sent by me
to Nizwa, the seat of the Imam, to endeavour to obtain ratification otthe terms
discussed at Sib.
Though at the commencement of.Sheikh Said's mission circumstances
seemed favourable, it very soon became evident that the influence of the
“Mutawwa” or fanatical party would he strongly against the return of the
gardens which were mostly in their hands and from which the mullahs derived
a lucrative income. The leader of the opposition party was hJasir bin itaskid-
al-Kharusi, the brother of the Imam and his Mali in Rustaq.
The mission was more than once on the point o c success, but finally after i
months of negotiations and intrigue the Imam in February definite^, refu-ed
to Sheikh Said and Sheikh Isa to ratify the terms.
The possibility of this unfavourable result had been foreseen for some time,
and a definite plan of action prepared to meet the emergency. The Omanis
had been given a fair field and plenty of favour. They had been moved witu