‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎273r] (544/949)

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In matters connected with our dealings with the natives of Oman, while we
are accustomed to receive a courteous hearing from His Highness, nevertheless
we often experience difficulty in obtaining relief, and this is partly owing no
doubt to the unsettled state of the interior. In this latter connection we make
bold to explain to Your Excellency that whereas considering the degree of en
lightenment among the Bedouin Arabs inter-tribal strife and turbulence is within
the nature of things, and when it is limited to the interior of the country does
not immediately affect our welfare any more than that of other peaceable mem
bers of the community, nevertheless, when as is sometimes the case, the scene of
the strife is transferred to the coast ports, or their immediate neighbourhood,
our commercial interests do immediately suffer, and we are put to anxiety for
the safety of the lives and properties of our fellow-subjects. Eor, as Your Ex
cellency is aware, in many or the coast towns of Oman (often far removed
from the capital) small communities of British Indian subjects reside, in
whose hands all the local trade is centered, and who, in however humble a
capacity, are the pioneers of British Indian commerce in these waters.
Thanks to the vigilant activity of successive Political Agents, and Men-
of-War, at seasons of unrest, there is perhaps little actual danger to the
lives and properties of these our fellow-subjects, hut the detriment to their
trading operations and ours is great, and we venture to hope that Your Excel
lency’s Government will see its way, either by strengthening the hands of the
Kuler, or by active interference on the coast, where necessary for the preserva
tion of British interests, to take measures which will deter the unruly tribes
men of Oman from disturbing the commerce of the country by their dissen
sions.
In matters of commerce generally we continue to prosper, and though
during the last few years signs have not been wanting of Eoreign competition,
Indian imports rule the market.
There is one depressing factor, however, of comparatively recent growth to
which we make bold to draw Your Excellency’s benevolent attention, and that
is the demoralising fluctuations in the silver exchange.
Since the closing of the Indian mints in 1893 , and the consequent fall in
the price of silver, the local Dollar exchange has not ceased to exhibit remark
able fluctuations, which greatly prejudice and impede the local import trade,
from the fact that the currency value of the rupee is fixed, and that of the
Maskat Dollar is not. We therefore humbly commend the matter to Your
Excellency’s wise consideration in the hope that in co-operation with the Local
Government, some means may be devised of bringing about a better state of
things.
In conclusion, we beg to reiterate our welcome and to assure you, that this
visit of Your Excellency and your gifted consort will be a landmark in the
history of Maskat, and will live green in our memories, and it is our earnest
prayer before the Supreme Being, in whose hands the destinies of us all lie, to
vouchsafe to Your Excellency a continuance of bodily health and strength to
enable you to render further great services to the Empire, and to bind fresh
laurels on your brow.
Dated Maskat, the 26th October 1903.
From— Major 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. at Maskat,
To—L. W. Dane, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Depart
ment.
Owing to the Sultan’s indisposition I have not been able to see him about
the draft programme until this morning. Working against time I am just able
to catch the mail with a copy of it for approval or amendation.
Please excuse the crude form of it, but time did not admit of one person
typing or writing the whole of it.
His Excellency the Viceroy’s Tour.
Suggested ^Programme for Maskatyfor approval.
November 18 th, 11 p.m.—Uis Excellency the Viceroy will arrive at 11
On the Men-of- War approaching the front of the harbour opposite the
A [ town the port will be saluted with 21 guns under the Admiral s orders.
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