"ملف ٢٠/٨: شؤون دولة مسقط: احتجاج العمانيين" [و‎‎١‎٣‎٢] (٦٣٤/٢٦٣)

IBLth the government of the interior, beyond ineieting on
on safety of travel and freedom to trade, we shall it ie to
be hoped^never concern ourselves. In the administration of
the coast we are however deeply involved. We control the
customs owing to the fti**M*« indebtedness of the Sultan
to us. This Is the only source of state revenue. We therefoe
entirely controlrco^rta. To secure the necessary yearly
valance for the repayment of the loan we must control
expenditure to a certain degree. The necessary coroljoraju^
of this is a measure of control over the administration.
Several other considerations also make control of adminis-
dlueutf CUtm
inevltablej^the fact that government was previously
so scandoaoue as to reflect seriously upon us as the para
mount power. Reform of the administration was therefore one
of the conditions of the loan. Such reform cannot come
from the inside^* we only can suj>j>ly it.
Finally the British interests involved are large as
nearly all the trade is in the hands of resident british
subjects.
i — 1^-
A eomencement towardi reform hae been made. The
administration of Justice Is better than It was owing to
the institution of a regular court. There trained Egyptians
have taken over the eustauns and already a vast improvement
in the method of working and in receipts has been shown.
There will be however two potent factors which
willm&ke reform difficult. The first is the people and
the second the climate. There are not more than ten Arabs
among H.H*s.subjects who can read and write and they are
naturally engaged in trade. Among his entourage and his
walls there is not one whom he can trust. The admlnlstrati<n
of the coast towns outside Muscat and Mat trail only exists
in name and is a model of corruption and incompetence.
The walls have no authority or power in thei* districts