"ثورة مسقط، في الفترة من أبريل ١٩١٧ إلى يناير ١٩١٨، واستُأنفت في الفترة من أبريل ١٩٢٠ إلى أكتوبر ١٩٢٠" [و‎‎٢‎٢‎٧] (٥٥٨/٤٦٦)

have been a great coup for them, if they failed it would be
only temporarily and would not matter a damn as long as we haa
nothing to do with it, and our indifference would still leave
the way open for the Omanis to approach us if they wanted to.
Incidentally if only the G of I had only replied to my almost
tearful intreaties to fix up something about the Sultan, either
by a Council of Regency with him residing often in India, or
with his abdicating, it does not matter which, in my own mind
I have noi doubt that Oman would have come in.
The new socalled Imam is for the Arabs both
learned ani intelligent. He had backed up Said bin Nasir al
Kindi in his mission at the end of last year. It seems clear
that he already realises that his position if it is to exist
at all depends on his ability to remove the penal zakat. He has
therefore already addressed al Kindi apparently in the hope 01
opening up negotiations through me on the basis of the return
of the gardens. If he does do so again our position is perfect-
(ju Um A
-ly clear, the letter to Isa has been acknowledged'^but not yeii
properly answered. They may take it ot leave it. Shoull they
wish to see me they may do so but they must return the gardens
first, and I will then square up something with them.
On the whole a hard but interesting life and I
am quite happy as long as I am sure that the G of I do not
worry. I am sure that you do not. I assure you that everything
is couleur de rose, and that you can trust me to keep things
fairly all rigat. Keep to the old phrase " make the Sultan»s
government strong on the coast and let the rest rip " and you
cannot go far wrong. We want the levy corps here as soon as
possible, and I want to go to India as soon as possible to
settle up this question of the Suftan, as I do not think it
advisable for M to return till his position is settled as it
would be unfair on him for him to return in charge of the rtra
state, and then have to change his position to.that of techni-