"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٥‎٠‎٢] (١٧٨٢/٦٤٥)

Kuria Muria
Islands case,
502
July a few shots from thePhilomel " and the support of the men-
of-war's boats enabled Abdul 'Aziz to land and occupy it without
resistance. Negotiations between 'Abdul 'Aziz and the Yal Sa'ad
followed, and it was at length arranged that $5,000 (or one-third of the
amount due) should be paid by the Sultan on condition of the Yal
Sa'ad returning to their allegiance to him, and that the remainder should
be collected by the Yal Sa'ad within 70 days. This settlement received
the assent of the Government of India ; but it was not fully or puno
tually carried out, for in the end $400 due from the Yal Sa'ad was
remitted, and notwithstanding the remission payment was only
completed in January 1875.
After the disposal of the Masna'ah affair another case, arising out of
the wrongful confinement and subsequent release on ransom at Halla-
niyah Island of subjects of the Rao of Kach, claimed attention:
the offenders in this instance were Bani Bu 'Ali of the Ja'afarah section,
belonging to Lashkharah on the South-East Coast of 'Oman. Major
Miles went to Lashkharah in H. M. S. "Philomel"; and, as the
surrender of the actual offenders could not be obtained, a fine of $600
was imposed and was readily paid at Sur by some Shaikhs of the Bani
Bu 'Ali who represented themselves as having been authorised by the
Ja'afarah to act on their behalf. A more considerable claim which
had its origin at Sur in June 1875 was not settled, as will be related
further on, until 1877.
Regency of 'Abdul 'Aziz, Augtist to December 1875.
The position of the regent after his brother's departure was in no way
enviable, for the Masqat treasury was empty and the forts were held by
a discontented tribal soldiery whose pay was in arrears ; but 'Abdul
Aziz showed energy and good sense in coping with the difficulties of the
situation. The leading men of both factions received friendly invitations
to visit Masqat, and a number of them, chiefly Hinawis, responded to the
summons, while the turbulent Bedouins were treated with a judicious
parsimony which had an excellent effect on the public finances. The
general character of the new regime was, after the first, Hinawi and
fanatical , foi Salih-bin- Ali, arriving from Sharqiyah at the head of 400
men, became the principal adviser of 'Abdul 'Aziz, while the Mutaw-
wa s, flocking into Masqat, usurped municipal authority and placed an
interdict on dancing and prostitution. The prospect of exclusion from