Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎31r] (61/678)

BRITISH PROTECTORATE OYER MASKAT.
In 1890* the Government of
* Secret E., September 1890, Nog. 248-253 (Pro.
No. 250).
t Secret E., March 1891. Pro. Nos. 113-126,
(No. 113.)
India laid before the Secretary of State
a proposal for establishing a protectorate
in Oman. Hisf Majesty’s Government,
however, did not think the juncture
opportune for raising the question.
2. In November^ of the same year the Secretary of State, as a step in the
No* i S 7 et E '’ March 1891> Nos ' 113 ‘ 126 (Pr0 - direction of establishing a protectorate
T . ^ over Maskat, directed the Government of
India to obtain from the Sultan of Maskat a declaration, in which His High
ness should engage, on behalf of himself, his heirs, and successors, not to
“ cede, mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation any portion of his dominions
save to Her Britannic Majesty’s Government”. 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. was instructed§ to act accord-
ingly, and a draft notification approved
was forwarded to him. The Resident
returned [| the declaration duly signed
under cover of his letter No. 58, dated
31st March 1891.
of by
§ Ibid. (Pro. Nos. 125 and 126).
His Majesty’s Government
|| Secret E., July
Nos. 395 and 396).
1891, Nos. 395-398 (Pro.
3. In 1896^f Colonel Wilson, in writing demi-officially to the Eoreign Secre-
•X Secret E., August 1896, Nos. 157-164, notes. 011 tlle Ver T ^Satisfactory attitude
. , 1 of the Sultan of Maskat, said—“All this
strongly strengthens my view that a protectorate is our only real solution; * *
* * * But 1 write with the idea that in Madagascar affairs might be found
a good opportunity of arranging with France the abrogation of the 1862 Con
vention, and, if so, it would be a good thing to seize it ”. The Government of
** md. (Pro. No. lei). India telegraphed** to the Secretary of
.. r , Sta te asking whether the situation in
Madagascar would afford an opportunity of securing French consent to our pro-
tt ibid. (Pro. No. 162 ). tectorate over Oman. The Secretary of
. State repliedff that, while appreciatino-
the importance of trying to secure a protectorate over Maskat, the Foreign
Office considered that the measure could not be successfully accomplished at
the present time. 1
4. The question was not then revived till the present year. In May 1903
when the question of the use and rights of the French flag in Oman was at a
very acute stage, the Sultan, who was greatly harassed and in a depressed frame
of mind at the time, sent for two of his counsellors and consulted them as to the
advisability of his handing over his Government and obtaining in lieu thereof
tt Secret E, September 1903, Nos. 240-283, f, . m ? ntbl y stipend. Major CoX reported
page 25, notes. this incident m his demi-official letter^ J of
^ i 25th Ma 7- Subsequently, in September,
Major Cox telegraphed that, the Sultan of Maskat was so worried by the
international difficulties of his position that he wished to abdicate in favour of
Current papers. his son if he would protect him. §§ The
,. . x §§ / A “\ , Secretary of State was informed of this by
cable ; it was pointed out that the Sultan’s retirement under present conditions
followed by a minority under joint English and French protection would be a
misfortune; and enquiry was made whether there was any chance of an indica
tion of the views of His Majesty’s Government as to an arrangement with
France reaching the Viceroy before His Excellency left Karachi for the Gulf
on 16th November.
C. L. S. Russell,— 9-11-03.
S. M. Feaser, —11-11-03.
Foreign Office Press—No. 1475—11-11*03—30.