‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎259v] (517/949)

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effect upon the turbulent Bedouin element, and would take the wind out of the sails of such
troublesome characters as Aysa-bin-Saleh and Hilal-bin-Amr, if the Viceroy could make a
statement to the Durbaris somewhat on the following lines.
After sketching the position which Gr&at Britain has taken for generations in preserving
the peace and prosperity of the Gulf, His Excellency would explain—
That the British Government is only interested in what goes on in the interior of Oman
in so far as passing events affect British trading interests, which are, however, very consider
able. That it is found that mischievous risings against the constituted authority of the
Sultan, caused by no acts of oppression on the part of the Ruler, but merely got up with the
object of extorting blackmail from him or causing annoyanoe and unrest, do seriously affect
the trade of the ports and the interests of British merchants, and that whereas the stock of
Saiyid Turki and his forebears have been on terms of close intimacy and treaty relation with
the British Government, and his descendants still are, the British Government thinks that 4
the time has come to make it known to the public of Oman that, as long as the descendants
of Saiyid Turki continue to act up to their treaty engagements to that Government and to
conduct their administration in a manner compatible with the advancing requirements of
civilisation, His Majesty's Government will be prepared, should it see fit, to protect its
subjects and interests in Oman and to support the authority of the Sultan in any way that
may seem expedient, and to assist him by such means, as may appear called for, to suppress
those disloyal and unruly subjects who are the enemies as well of the public weal as of the
ruling Sultan.
Such an intimation need not commit us in any way as between ourselves and the Sultan,
but would be very generally welcomed by the peaceable portion of the community and would
strengthen the Sultan's hands a good deal. I do not see what exception the French could
take to it, and I should think they would hardly be inclined to at the present time.
Telegram, dated the 19th September 1903.
From—The Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To— Majob P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., 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.
Viceroy will, as at present arranged, arrive, via Ras-al-Hadd, at Maskat morning 18th
November. Stay there till evening 19th, when he leaves for Shargah via Mussandim. You
can inform Saltan on any suitable occasion after 26th September. Question of ships and of >
any political pronouncement are under consideration.
Extract from a letter from Major P. Z. Cox, C.LE., 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 Maskat, dated the 4th October
1903 .
The British subjects have expressed their desire to present an address to His Excellency
during his stay here, and I therefore write to enquire whether the Viceroy will be prepared to
receive it, and whether it should be submitted first for approval.
Time is so short that I will ask you kindly to send me a reply by wire.
Secret E., July 1895, Nos. 355-357.
Secret E., April 1896, Nos. 163-182.
Current papers relating to—
( 1 ) the renewal of our Commercial Treaty with
the Sultan;
(2) the suggested transfer of Gwadur to the
Khan of Kalat.
(3) The disturbances at Eostak, etc.
The foregoing extracts containing sugges
tions for His Excellency's speech in Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). at
Maskat are put up together with the margi
nally noted papers.
L. Russell,— 2-11-1903.
S. M. Eraser,— 3-11-1903.
Until His Majesty's Government declare their policy in regard to Maskat it will be
difficult for Your Excellency to say much more than what Major Cox proposes. The
differences of the traders at Gwadur with the Sultan’s Customs officers have been patched
up, and in view of the claim put forward to that port by the Khan of Kalat and to our
inquiries about Pasni and Korkalmah, I venture to think that the less said about Gwadur the
better. We might, however, tell the Sultan
at the private inteview that he must not
enhance the 5 per cent., export duty by levying
zakat from the British traders if Major Cox has not already settled this question, in which
case the matter might be briefly noticed in Your Excellency's reply to the address.
The case of the new Commercial Treaty is under separate consideration.
Proceedings No. 32 in External B, September 1903,
Nos. 28-34.
L. W. Dane, —4-11-1903.
Your Excellency has copies of the passages in the letters from Colonel Kemball and
Major Cox containing suggestions for Your Excellency's address at Maskat.
I now add—
( 1 ) Some supplementary notes on Maskat by Major Cox, in which he gives some
statistics as to trade.
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