"ملف ٢٠/٨: شؤون دولة مسقط: احتجاج العمانيين" [و‎‎٥‎١] (٦٣٤/١٠١)

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look out for a representative on the Commission, as / well
as for Customs Officers. In this connection attention is
invited to my telegram No.3522 dated 27th Maych,1919, in
which the Government of India were informed thct there were
no suitable candidates here for the Muscat Appointment and
oiiat otner arrangements woul d. consequently be necessary. It
that
may well be/the Sultan would prefer the P.A. himselfto
examine his affairs rather than to submit them to a Com
mission. If so, the P.A. should I think, be authorized to
accept the task, but not until the Sultan had explicitly
asked Mm to do so. If the request came from him the French
could scarcely object.
4, I endorse Major Haworth’s proposals as to the an
nouncement to be made to the Sultan himself with regard to
his personal responsibilities. He should clearly understand,
before he gets his loan, and the keen edge of his present
straits :s taken off, that hereafter he is, on probation and
must keep the promises which he is so ready to make now,if
he wishes to retain his present position.
5. This seems to be enough^ to begin with and the rest
of the programme, as suggested by Mr. Bill, may be left
for gradual introduction as opportunity offers,
5. What has been said above leaves out of accountthe
faction in Oman which follows the Imam and is opposed to
t/ie oultan. It is in my opinion quite worth while to ascertain
their views at as early a date as possible, and clear up as
many chances of misunderstanding as possible. There can
be but little doubt but that their definition of "reforms"
or "good Government" would differ v«ry / widely from ours.
But at least there may be some common ground and an YX
attempt to find it can do no harm. It is therefore oppor
tune that, as reported in my telegram under reference Major
Haworth has been able to get into communication with them
at this early stage in the negotiations.
7. There is one more point, Major Haworth has been at
Muscat since October 1916 and is*understood to be likely
soon to apply for leave on medical grounds. Whoever suc
ceeds him there should be an officer, preferably