'File [11/4] Salute by H.H. the Sultan to Political Officers when leaving and returning to Muscat' [‎20r] (39/60)

Discontinuance cf the pactice of saluting Poltl. Officers when leaving Muscat.
No. 24, dated Bushire, the 31st March 1894 (Confidential).
From—C olonel F. A. Wilson, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
I have the honour to forward copies of letters from the 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. ,
No. 39 , dated 16 th February 1894. Muscat, with copies of tlieir enclosures as
» 44 >» 28th *> » marginally noted, on the subject of the
discontinuance by His Highness the Sultan of Muscat of certain salutes to the
representatives of Government which have always been customary, and of His
Highness’s attitude in the matter.
2. Little comment on my part seems called for upon Major Sadler’s refer
ences which very fully detail the facts, and the considerations bearing on the
subject. The course adopted by the Sultan in this matter appears to me an
exceedingly unfortunate one, and it is, I think, very much to be regretted that
His Highness should have thought fit, without even condescending to give any
explanation of the reasons for his action, as evidenced in his first letter, to sum
marily curtail the mark of respect which, according to very long-established
custom, has been shewn to the representatives of Government at Muscat and
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In his second letter the Sultan supports his action by
the argument that it has not Ijeen the practice to fire salutes on departure,
but in face of the facts cited by Major Sadler, this assertion, which His High
ness would seem to have hesitated to make in the first instance, is so palpably
opposed to the actual position, that it is difficult to understand how His High
ness could have brought himself to put it forward.
3. There can be no doubt that salutes to the officers of Government have
a distinct value and significance on these coasts, and I -cannot but think that
the discontinuance of such a public mark of consideration, which has had the
sanction of long-continued usage, would, in attracting very general notice,
have an adverse influence upon the position and prestige of British Represent
atives not only at Muscat, but at other places also where Government has
political relations in these seas.
No. 39, dated Muscat, the 16th February J.S94 (Confidential).
From— Major J. Hayes Sadler, Her Britannic Majesty’s 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. and
Consul, Muscat,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to forward copies with translated purport of the corre
spondence which has passed between the Sultan and myself regarding the
omission of the usual salute on the occasion of my departure in' December last
to take charge of the office of Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2. Although this correspondence refers solely to the question of salutes to *
the 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. , I have some reason to believe that it is intended to apply
as w r ell to the departure of the Resident after paying his periodical visit to
Muscat.
I have examined the files in my office, and I find that, as a rule, a record of
the salutes has not been kept, but here and there an entry appears in the
diaries that the Resident or 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. either arrived at, or departed from,
Muscat under X\\g usual salute, the probable reason being that up to quite
latelythe salute was such an established fact that it was not thought necessary
to record it, and Dr. Jayakar; who has been here over twenty-one years, has never
known an instance, prior to the occasion to which I shall now refer, of the
Resident or 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. being allowed to leave Muscat without this public
mark of recognition.
3. The new departure seems to have commenced with Colonel Talbot’s
visit in June last. Colonet Talbot had handed over charge of his office as
S E—28-35—June. • 1