‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎215r] (428/949)

3
to submit proposals through 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. , Maskat, which I could refer to
the bhargah Chiet tor an expression of his views on the subiect. Although the
acquisition by a foreign Power of Khor Pakan or other places on this coast
belonging to the Shargah Chief would not be allowed by us in view of our
Agreement of 1892 with this Chief, it might, I think, be more convenient that
the whole stretch of coast from Maskat to Alosandim should be subordinate to
the Maskat ruler.
The extract from the “ Depeche Coloniale ” forwarded by Captain Cox is
of consKlerabie interest. It will be seen that Dibba (Delia) and Lima are
both alluded to as excellent anchorages and apparently as outside the Sultan’s
dominions. Lima will be found described at pas^e 62i of the Bombay Govern
ment Records No. XXIV, new series, and Dibba at page 623. Lima is
considered by us to be within the territories of the Sultan of Maskat, but I
am not aware what degree of authority he exercises over the portion of the
coast line from Dibba north to Khasab. The “ Selika ”, I believe, spent some
time at Dibba. It has been very difficult to ascertain what this yacht reallv
came up the Gulf for, and what she did here, but her movements were, I
consider, distinctly suspicious. I hear on good authority that she is again to
come to the Gulf this winter, but I propose to make this a subject for a special
report. Meanwhile, I think it is highly desirable that one of His Majesty’s
ships should visit the Batineh Coast at an early date, calling in at Khor Fakan,
Dibba and Lima. Her Commander may be able to ascertain what the
tc Selika ” did at these places. I have instructed 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. , Maskat,
to arrange for this being done on the first suitable opportunity of one of His
Majesty’s ships visiting Maskat.
No. 285, dated Maskat, the 23rd July 1901 (Confidential).
From— Captain P. Z. Cox, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul and 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. at
T\/I „ I-„ 4- ®
Maskat,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Kemball, Officiating 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 address you in the following connection.
At a recent interview the Sultan informed me that the chief members of
the community at Khor Eakan on the Batineh Coast had several times made
overtures to him, which they had just lately repeated, with a view to their port
being again brought under Maskat jurisdiction, and His Highness asked for
an expression of my personal views on the subject, both on its merits and with
reference to the possibility of his having our support should the project
eventually be taken up. I replied that my files contained something on the
subject, and that I should like to look them up, and, if necessary, make a
reference to you before giving him a reply. “ Support ” would presumably
mean the presence of one of our men-of-war if required.
2. Khor Fakan, as is doubtless within your knowdedge, is a collection of
hamlets situated on the shores of a spacious bay of the same name on the
northern Batineh Coast, in latitude 25° 21 ' 13" N. and longitude 56° 23'. Broadly
speaking, I should say that the territories comprised in the Sultanate of Oman
are at present considered to extend from the westerly limits of Dhofar on the
south, to Khasab at the extremity of the Roos-el-Jubbal on the north, but the
interjacent strip of ^oast-line lying between the 25th and 26th parallels of
latitude has, from the days of the Wahabi incursions at the commencement of
the last century, been the scene of frequent strife, in the course of which the
ports along its shores have several times changed hands.
As far as the archives of this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. enable me to state with any degree
of accuracy, the following are the chief land-marks of Khor Fakan history