'Abdication of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal and accession of Sultan Saiyid Said ibn Taimur' [‎24r] (57/354)

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following day for neariy a» long. I regret to inform tiie
GoTemraent of India that all my efforts to induce His HigJmeBs
to return to Ifaecat and to reconsider his decision were un
availing „ and that he absolutely refused to do so. I began
by conveying to him the instructions received in letter lao.
P # 40«»ll/31 f dated the 2bth September 1931 from the Government
of India to the effect that they would be compelled to advise
the Council to reduce his allowance to Hs*2000 y and to dis
continue the Arms Subsidy. Neither threat seemed to mala the
smallest impression on aaid Talraur, He stated that his
present expenses were small ana that he lived in a modest way #
and did not desire to be a burden on the finances of the
State, and that the sum proposed would in the circumstances
be adequate 9 and as regards the subsidy he stated that the
Oovernment of India had given it am were at liberty to dis
continue it, if It seemed to them good, and that it was for
them to advise the state how to manage their finances. In
fact he virtually washed his hands of all further responsibi
lity for his State, and said that Government could do whatever
they liked regarding it. He admitted that he had written to
Saiyid Said last April infoxming him that he Intended to return
to Muscat and had authorised him to inform the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
but said that he had merely written this in order to encourage
and console Saiyid Said &
3» His Highness however made very little attempt to
argue or even discuBs the matter. Kveiy argument and appeal
and even threat that I addressed to him was met with a mono
tonous refrain - •I am sick and cannot return: I am sick and
cannot return**, varied occasionally by the addition M I have
only a few years to live and wish to end my days in peace".