‘File XXXVIII/4 BOMBARDMENT of SUR. OCT:- NOV: 1928.’ [‎122r] (254/368)

but maintaining an attitude of non-intervention in the
hinterland*
The success of aneiJch Isa hin Saleh in forming an
independent State in Oman proper inclusive of the valuable
Semail valley, has led others to loo* forward to doing
likewise. Many Arabs came to the conclusion that w. were
not anxious to see a strong Government established in ^
Oman and that we would countenance the formation of other
independant authorities*
This appears to he the opinion ol the aneiichB of
the Bani Bu Ali.a Ghafiri tribe of wahabis in Jaalan.The** |
Sheikhs have in recent years styled themselves Amirs of
Janlan and in 1924,wrote to the Government of India say-
-ing that they were independant of the Sultans of Muscat
and asking for recognition. These Amirs are not strong
enough or influential enough amongst other tribes ts
form an independant State without considerable extraneous
support, and they have been active in fomenting intri-
-gues for this purpose.They have also been attempting
to obtain mastery over Sur.a port where they nave a small
se h 1161116 n't*
Sur is the second largest port in Oman and if tney
succeed in bringing it under their control,apart from
its value as a source of revenue,they would be pi .oea
in a predominant position throughout Sastern Oman. They
have evidently deemed the present a favourable time for
proclaiming their independance and have hoisted Ibn
Saud's flag in their settlement at Sur, established a
customs house there and have been interfering with the
caravan route to Sharqiyah.
There is no evidence that Ibn Baud is connected Kk*j
with these developments in any way,but certain members I
of the Amirs* family went to Mecca in 1^6 accompu-ied
by the Jenebeh Sheixh of Masirah Island who was in
alliance with them and just recently one of the Amirs
has left for Jeddah presumably £vti the same purpose,
whilst the head of another branch of the bultan's fa-