'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Historical and Political Materials, Maskat [Muscat] territory, 1872-1903' [‎74] (76/138)

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2 per c^nt. pf r mensem: this last Saltan desired to pay off by means of lonn of
Rs. 60,0 0. Wanted R.s^ 40,000 also to pay olT Arab creditors. Beville ad
vanced Rs. 5,200 on own responsibility (2-6). Lorn of Ks. 60,000 sanctioned
on same terms as previous loan, repayment to commenee when first loan dis-
chariied. Sultan must undertake to show 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. that ordinary
expenditure including refund instalments could and would be kept within
ordinary income. 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. , if necessary, should take means to secure
that loan was not diverted from declared object, viz., of paying debts which
bore exorbitant interest (2S-6). If Saltan gave preof of resolve to place finances
on sound basis, Government would consider a third advance ot Rs. 40,000
to pay off Arab creditors. Government would lend a suitable officer to reform
customs if Sultan desired (21-47). Sultan gave necessaiy assurances as to
extinction of debts bearins: exorbitant interest and balancing of revenue and
expenditure (9-7). New loan paid to Sultan (6-8).
1898".
Resident thought Suit m would consent to make over control of customs
for 10 years and requested authority to offer advance up to one year's income
from customs if necessary (15-1). Referred to Secretary of State (21-1).
Salisbury considered direct control would be infringement of 1862 declaration,
but Secretary of State approved appointment of British official as Superinten
dent of Sultan's customs and advance of money on security of customs
(18-2) No gift or loan ever made (as onca reported) to Sultan by French
Vice-Consul (18—2). Sultan's debts $190,500. Nearly half of last loan
misapplied and Sultan, in spite of several reminders, had not sent in projects of
reform. Sultan politely but distinctly refused to change customs manage-
mei t (16-2).
1899.
Zanzibar subsidy to Maskat fixed at Pts. 86,400 in 1873 when $100=Rs.
216. Now $.00= Hs. 125. Sultan broached renewal of subsidy to Cox (23-10).
Cox calculated arrears of subsidy December 1898 to September 1899, both
inclusive, at Rs. 72,000 : arrears of instalments due on account of some months
for loans at Rs. 20,000; total balance of loans at Rs. 36,000; balance of in
demnity at Rs. 34,000; deficit at Rs. 18,000 (24-10). Resident pointed
out that if arrears of subsidy were applied to liquidate balance of indemnity,
burden would be shifted from offending tribes to Sultan (2-12). Sultan,
once more in funds, repaid advance of Ratansi Parshotam and cancelled his
provisional contract for customs; then telegraphed to Bombay for two Muham-
madans, said to have had practical experience in Bombay Customs, to enable
him to manage customs for one year himself (12-12).
1900.
Government of India considered arrears of subsidy had been forfeited by
conduct of Sultan. Even application of arrears to discharge of Sultan's liabi
lities was exceptional generosity of Government towards him. View of
Government was that whole balance of loan of 1897 should be paid out of
arrears and, as regards indemnity, quarterly instalments of balance for Sep
tember and December 1899, if owing, should be deducted from arrears of
subsidy, similarly interest at 6 per cent, on unpaid balance from February
1899; but balance of capital sum of indemnity, Ks. 84,000, might, for political
reasons, continue to be paid off by instalments. Sultan might, however, possibly
obtain mitigation of these orders by proper attitude to representative ami
representations of British Government. Immediate liquidation of loan might
be abandoned in return for substantial concession by Sultan in regard {e.g.)
to management of customs; but monthly instalments must of course be paid
from December 1898 till debt extinguished (2-1). Receipt from indemnity
tax diminishing as collusion increasing and on account of Sultan taking tax
into own hands instead of farming it (12-2). New customs arrangement
apparently working well (14-2). Government of India accepted $4,564, paid
by Sultan as proceeds of punitive-tax between June and December 1899, in