"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الجزء II. ج. ج. لوريمر. ١٩١٥" [‎٢‎٦‎٣‎٥] (١٢٦٢/١١٥٢)

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the morning of the 19th Colonel Kemball and Major Cox were
sent to interview the Sultan^ who readily agreed to place himself, in the
matter of his proposed abdication, in the hands of the British Govern
ment, and in no circumstances to take any further step in that
direction except under their advice and with their concurrence. The only
obstacle to his investiture had thus been removed.
The Darbar having been closed, the Viceroy retired to a robing room
to prepare for the ceremony of investiture. A few moments later he
returned dressed as Grand Master of the Order of the Indian Empire
and resumed his seat upon the throne. A Chapter having been
constituted, the Sultan Was brought before him with due ceremony and
Was invested, according to the usual forms, with the ribbon, badge, star
and collar of the Order. This concluded the proceedings, and^ the
assembly dispersed, the native Darbaris returning to the shore in a
flotilla of country boats which had lain alongside the " Argonaut " dur
ing the ceremonies, while the Viceroy, the Sultan and the Naval Com
mander-in-Chief also quitted the " Argonaut" in the order named, each
receiving his appropriate salute as he left. The Sultan followed Loid
Curzon on board the " Hardinge " in order to receive a personal inter
view and to bid farewell to his'distinguished guest.
At this meeting, which took place at 1-15 p.m . and lasted about
half-an-hour. Colonel Kembatl, Major Cox and Mr. L. Dane, Secretary
to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, were present.
The Sultan had only two requests to make; the first was that his cousin
'Ali-bin-Salim might be allowed to return from Masqat to Zanzibar,
whence he had been expelled for engaging in political intrigues; the
second was that some mercy might be shown to 'Omani slave-traders
who had been captured by the Portuguese in Mozambique in 1903 and
sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment on the West Coast of Africa.
Lord Curzon promised to see what could be done in both matters ; but he
considered that, as regarded the second, there was little hope for the time
hems' that the Sultan's wishes could be ^ gratified* At Major Cox s
suggestion Lord Curzon impressed upon Saiyid Sir Faisal the ^desirability
of his employing a financial expert or a competent committee to audit his
accounts, and of his ceasing to draw in advance upon the receipts of his
Customs, which were virtually the sole source of his revenue. The
Sultan admitted that his expenditure was m excess of his income, but
he was unwilling to make an innovation of the kind suggested j he Was
understood, however, to say that he would do what he could to meet
His Excellency's wishes. The interview was free and informal; and
the demeanour of Saiyid Sir Faisal was distinguished by dignity,
courtesy and friendliness. He assured the Viceroy that he and hi^
son Taimur were entirely at His Excellency's orders; nor did he withdraw
until he had thanked His Excellency repeatedly for the honoui had
unui 116 coming to Masqat and investing him with the
g S i - E The receipt of this decoration had evidently afforded the Sultan
much pleasure- . , ,
The "Hardinge" left Masqat the same afternoon, accompanied by
ine tiara S , . ^ two dayg 0 f the Viceregal visit had been
the ships of h ■ holiday; and the native festivities culminated
fnZllS SlcTwhi th. iip. were .» get »d.r
Close of the
Darbar.
Private
interview of
the Sultau
with the
Viceroy.
Departure
from Masqat.
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