'File 8/67 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: MUSCAT – OMAN TREATY.' [‎60r] (124/316)

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Gi Uie terms tl»ey proposed to exact from the Sultan all except (2) and (3)
and (12) were clenrly absurd. By a mixture of argument, cajolery and
threats and the final statement that if they were not prepared to accept the
terms originally agreed upon I would leave at once, they finally agreed to ask
ing only ( 2 ), 3) and (!>') from the Saltan. Terms ( 10 ) and ( 11 ) were put in
by Sheikh Said bin Nasir al Kindi only owing to personal enmity and were soon
disposed of. (l) was pointed out as being absurd—if we were mediating in an
agreement they could rely on our not backing the other s : de unless they
flagrantly broke it. (5) was pointed out as a sine qua non. ( 6 ) and (0) were
pointed as equivalent to asking for exemptions of formalities which had to he
undergone by the whole world, and as implying no disgrace but which even
British citizens had to put up with in other countries. (/) was pointed out as
impossible owing to international agreement and it was added that in any ca*e
permission to import could not be given till we were sure by experience of their
good intention^. ( 1 ) was categorically refused and it was explained that as they
had got practical independence what more did they want. ( 8 ) was laughed
at.
Finally the following terms were arranged. The Sultan’s Government
w’ould: —
( 1 ) Ptecluce the zakat on all goods coming into the coast towns to 5
•: per cent.
(2) Guarantee safety and freedom for Omanis in the coast towns.,
(3) Bemove all [restrictions on the entry of Omanis into Muscat and
Muttrah.
(4) Return fugitives from their justice andlnot interfere in their internal
affairs.
(Xote. —The word here used was <! dakhiliy. t-a-hum,” which is very im
portant as it means no more than it says, their internal affairs, and the Sultan
cannot argue should ho choose to do so that there is any derogation of his
supreme authority. On the other hand the Omanis are at liberty to regard it as
complete independence. Both sides are therefore satisfied.)
The Omanis would-—
(1) Remain in peace with the Sultan, not attack the coast and not
interfere with his Government.
(2) Permit freedom of trade and travel in Oman and guarantee the
safety of travellers.
(3) Would return and not protect fugitives from the Sultan’s justice.
( 4 ) "Would hear the claims of traders and others against Omanis accord
ing to Shara.
It is amusing to note that the terms asked from the Sultan was originally
only three, (2) and (3) being combined. When the Omanis found that they
had to concede four terms to the Sultan they were somewhat upset, but the
situation Tvas saved by splitting the second term into two.
As reo-ards the fourth term conceded by the Omanis, hearing by the
Shara was Inevitable as they have no other courts. It will almost certainly be
necessary in this respect to warn British subjects that they should be careful
to claim on “ waraqas” (documents) not on account books which would not
be accepted.
On the morning of the 25th Sheikh Isa and some twenty Sheikhs came to
write out the terms and sign them in my presence. Immediately a most
difficult noint arose. Sheikh Isa insisted that the peace should he between the
Sultan on the one side and the “ Imam-al-Muslim ” on the other. This I
refused for obvious reasons. In the first place it meant the open recognition
by us of another ruler. In the second such a peace would obviously be