"الملف 35/86 I A 32 معاهدة مسقط التجارية، ١٨٩١: مراجعة سنة ١٩٠٥" [و‎‎٢‎١] (٤٨٠/٤٥)

birt that t &ey v/ere rot contrary to the Treaty# A day or two
later Hi a Highness handed the Agency Dra^o^an a copy or hi©
no tiification, a translation of which is annexfed# It will "be
observed that the dutieo are only applicable to the Batineh
Coast; His Highness has two motives I believe in levying thou
firstly to raise a little money as he is at present in great
financial straits, and secondly tc prevent dates and other
goods being shipped to Lebai for export instead of to Muscat.
S.- Before receiving His Hishnesf; , notification I had
however, instituted enquiries at Kaabura to verify the state
ments of the Indian merchants, and also to find out the inci
dence of the new duty and the amour;t of taxes, etc, which had
hitherto beer paid by Indian traders "by private arrangement
with local officials. I did not receive details from Khabura
till the beginning of October, by which time the Sultan had
left on tour for 3ur and 3ohar. As I wished to discuss the
matter with His Highness in order to gii^e him an opportunity
of altering the orders about export dirty, I awaited his return
4.- His Highness only spent a few days during October
in. Muscat, but directly after his return I paid him a visit
on the Srd November, and pointed out to him that in my opinion
the duty could not be levied without the previous concurrence
of the British Government (vide Article 7 of the Commercial
Treaty of 1691). His ighness then somewhat surprised me by
stating that the 'Treaty of 1891 had lapsed years ago, and that
therefore he was not bound to adhere to it. I pointed out to
Tr M Highness that although in Article SC. twelve 3^ears* time
limit was mentioned the Article, in my opinion, only meant
that the Treaty was subject to revision after IS years and
* ~ 1 after IS months f notice •
I have since observed that the
wording of the protocol of February being given, by either
SCta 1892 is somewhat different and
seems tc modify Article SS a little. partv , s there was no ques-
tier, of the Treaty lap
sing? and in any case, so far as I was aware, no formal notice
had ever been given by either party, .fis Highness replied
Kr
# that