"مسقط. رغبة السلطان تيمور بن فيصل في التنازل عن العرش." [و‎‎٣‎٥] (٤٠٨/٧٩)

their agreement to the Icry of a similar duty on any
goode which may be imported from those countries. At
present the state cannot pay its way: and even the Levy
Corps which is essential for its defence cannot be main
tained at full strength. With the additional ilinds thus
obtained this could be done^while some money would be
available to ^nable His Highness to entertain in suitable
style and to show customary hospitality to fhe tribal
Shaikhs in the interior, thereby increasing his influence
and perhaps, in course of time, enabling him to gain some
measure of authority.
9, As regards Sur, the British Government have
always undertaken to maintain the authority of the Muscat
State on the coast while refusing to be drawn into
quarrels in the interior. It seems essential in pur
suance of this policy to re-establish the authority of
the Sultan at Sur. His Highness* suggestion that air
action should be combined with a naval bombardment sounds,
perhaps from a purely utilitarian point of ¥iew, somewhat
ridiculous: I believe however that the moral effect would
be considerable. I met the Senior tlaval Officer at
Henjam on the 19th of December and discussed the matter
with him. He expressed the view that there would be
no difficulty in knocking do \*n the customs house estab
lished by the Amir of Jaalan without damaging the rest of
the town since it was an isolated building, and was also
inclined to agree that the presence of a flying boat
would have a great moral effect. 1 could consult the
Air Officer Commanding if so desired and let you know
his views. If, as I anticipate, my letter to the Amir
of Jaalan has no effect then I suggest that the Sultan of
Muscat should proaeed to Sur in his own yacht accompanied
by the Political Agent on board one of His Majesty's
sloops and, if possible, a flying boat. The Sultan
would then open negotiations with the Shaikh of the
Beni