'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎145r] (294/386)

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two Governments lias been demonstrated by a series of Treaties or Conventions
of which I can trace no fewer than nine, and which have provided for the
closest political and commercial relations, as well as for the suppression of the
slave trade and of piracy, and for the extension of the electric telegraph. This
series of agreements sufficiently testifies to the connections that have grown up
between the two Governments, and that have linked the State of Oman to the
British Government by quite exceptional ties. But they have also been
strengthened, as Your Highness has pointed out, by the support which has been
given on critical occasions by the British Government to successive rulers of
Oman ; while a further and natural bond of union is supplied by the fact that
Maskat lies just opposite to the shores of India, that its trade is not only for the
most part with India, but is largely in Indian hands, that a large number of
British Indian subjects reside here, and that the prosperity of the State is
mainly dependent on these conditions. It is not surprising, therefore, that the
Government of India should feel a particular interest in this place, or that a
Viceroy of India should desire to visit it and to make the acquaintance of its
ruler. His pleasure in doing so is greatly enhanced when he learns from Your
Highness’s own lips that you and your children will ever be mindful of these
strong and ancient obligations, and that to them you and they will always re
main loyal. These are words which I shall cherish in friendly recollection not
only on my own behalf, hut on behalf of the Government which I represent.
Your Highness, has now ruled your State for fifteen years. I had the
pleasure of visiting it when you had only just succeeded fourteen years ago and
I am glad to congratulate l"our Highness on the progress that has since been
made. The volume of your trade is steadily increasing ; the wise step which the
Government of India so strongly urged on Your Highness a few years ago, of
taking over the Customs of your State in preference to farming them to others,
has been attended with largely increased profits ; and it gave me much satisfac
tion two years ago, with Your Highness’s permission, to bring your Capital into
still closer connection with the outer world by laying a telegraphic cable from
Jask to Maskat. I also personally selected Major Cox, as an officer in whose
direction and ability I had perfect confidence, to represent the Government of
India at your Capital ; and Your Highness has already assured me that you
have found in him a prudent counsellor and friend.
At Delhi in January last, though Your Highness was unable yourself to
accept my invitation to the great ceremony that we held there to celebrate the
Coronation of His Majesty the King-Emperor, I had the pleasure of welcoming
your son, Taimur, and of conversing with him about the coadition and welfare
of Oman.
I have referred to the fact that the British Government have extended a
peculiar measure of pretection in the past to the State of Oman and its rulers.
They have, on more than one occasion, intervened to save it from rebellion or
disruption. Your Highness may rest assured that this policy will not he dp-
parted from. So long as the rulers of Oman continue to observe their Treaty
engagement to the Government of India, and to administer this State with
enlightenment and justice, they will continue to receive the support of the
British Government, which is interested iu preserving the peace of the country
and the security of its trade. We cannot regard with satisfaction the attempts
of discontented classes or persons among Your Highness’s subjects to disturb the
tranquillity of your State, because in so doing not only do they contest Your
Highness’s authority, but they are apt to injure the interests of British subjects
also. These interests we are bound to protect for our own sake as well as for
yours. We hope that Your Highness wall continue to triumph over all such
adversaries iu the future as ymu have done in the past.
X trust that this important occasion, when for the first time a ruler of
Oman and the representative in India of the illustrious British Sovereign ex
change greetings in the waters of Maskat, may be a landmark in the history of
the ever widening and deepening connection between our two States i that the
firm friendship between them may continue to grow, and that Your Highness
may be blessed with health and long life to rule over a pacified and loyal
people.