‘File XXVIII/10 REPORT ON PRESENT CONDITIONS IN MUSCAT AND DEALINGS OF THE STATE WITH THE TRIBES NOMINALLY UNDER IT.’ [‎2r] (3/118)

Letter from the Hon ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Bushire, No. 38-T. (Confidential), dated I8th March 1924.
IW 1 h T wuiA'f'T T t0 r ?I >ort ’- for t}le mfom!ati on of the Government of India
that on the 16th March I paid a visit to Muscat in the course of which I paid
a farewell call on His Highness the Sultan, in the course of which a variety of
subjects was discussed. 01 *
fron^nw 16 1 * 1 ! 6 Politic T a I , . Agent had told me that since his return
1 ^ , Db i’ f * t ] le ,® nd ? f . January His Highness had frequently enquired when
might be expected to visit Muscat as he had a communication to make to me •
he would not however say anything to 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. on the subject. I con-
exnected y b expect n il]S H !S hness to say something of a confidential nature, and
expected he would raise tne question of his abdication again.
, ,, 3 -, Aftera good deal of conversation about his stay in Hholar and the nature
f that province and its inhabitants, His Highness came to his confidential com
munication. At first he dilated a good deal on the worries and troubles of govern
ment, saying that he had no desire to rule, etc , and I thought he would definitely
heaVilTT 1 ,? 16 ld °? ° f abdlcat “g> 80 1 said tia t I toped he would continue to
hear the burden and carry on the government until his son became old enouoh to
‘ ak e over the reins. His Highness said that he would, and I then gathered'that
what he wanted to say was not so much the question of abdicating as of obtaining
Government s recognition of his son as his successor. I reminded His Highness
^^^^^^oo®twi^h^^lread^beei^ai^before Government
who had decided that they could not
officially recognize his son as successor. I added that in such cases my own prac
tice was to recognize informally as heir the son or other relative recognized by the
character < or b' 8 Til 1 ?° Ught Gov e mm ent took the same line unless the
character or behaviour of the heir was such as to prevent their doing so : I felt
sure that Government granted the same amount of informal recognition of his
son ^ayyid Saeed as they had done in his own case when his father the late Sultan
this* 1 C0USldered um tfle belr - Hls Highness seemed perfectly satisfied with
1 4 * * * ; Hi j Hig \ ness then y enfc on t0 sa 7 that he could find no suitable person in 1 he
state to advise him in reforming the administration, and keeping the finan.es
rai ght, when he was present at Muscat, and when he was not present to galvanize
the Council of Ministers into life. His Highness said that the members of the
fchou | h 1 ve jy worfcii y Persons, were absolutely useless as administrators,
apart from which they would never come to a decision about any matter even
unimportant questions, and persisted in leaving everything over to await his
return. In this I cordially agree, though, of course, I did not say so. Hls High
ness said that he wanted to get an Englishman who would advise him when^in
Muscat and during his absence “ run ” the Council of Ministers. Would Govem-
inent give him a man ? I said I thought it might excite unfavourable comment if
Government actually appointed an officer as Wazir Minister. or Finance Member of the
Council which was what I thought he required. I thought it better that I or
rather my successor should make enquiries and see if a suitable man could be found,
f so he could visit His Highness at Dehra Dun (where he intends to go at the begin
ning of May for about five months), and His Highness could see if he liked the ap-
pheant and if his temperament and conduct seemed suitable ; if so His Highness
could bring him back when he returned in October under contract as Financial
Adviser with the prospect of becoming Minister of Finance if he proved suitable
and worked satisfactorily. After some discussion His Highness said that if a suit
able man presented himself he could engage him as Secretary in India and see how
he shaped, whether his manners and treatment of Orientals seemed likely to satisfy
Arabs, etc.; if so he would bring the man up. I said that I thought that to attract
a suitable man it would be necessary to offer at least Rs. 1,500 but more probably
Ks. 2,000 per mensem with house and travelling allowance, etc., and added that
this would be a severe strain on the finances of the Muscat State. His Highness
agreed and said that if only he could secure a suitable man he would gladlv pav
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