‘File XXXVIII/4 BOMBARDMENT of SUR. OCT:- NOV: 1928.’ [‎123r] (256/368)

Ti
family nho a few months ago,stated he was dissatisfied
with Isa bin baleh and proposed obtaining aahabi aid,has
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just returned from a Tisit to Ibn baud.
Ibn baud has however been levying zaieat from Baraimi
since 1925. Baraimi is the icey to Oman in the north.Its
possession would enable the Wahabis to raid the Batinah
coast with impunity and with Baraimi and Jaalan in the
hands of the mhabis the rest of Oman would fall an easy
prey to them
Sheiich Isa bin Saleh 1 cannot afford to
regard these developments with indifference. He has part
icular interests in Bur which is the port for the Bast (Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location. -
-ern portion of the Imam* s territory,including his own
tribe,whilst from recent remarics he has made in letters
to the Council it is clear tnat he is somewhat nervous
of Ibn baud.
In the ordinary way it would fern not have been diffi*
-cult for nim to deal with the Bani Bu Ali,as he has far
greater resources at his disposal,but he is evidently
reluctant to do so if it can possibly be avoided.
The Bani Bu Ali have been undermining his position
with the Ghafiri tribes in his territories* They have
openly said in letters to me that if Isa bin Saleh at-
-taciced them,the Bani Riyam,Daru and other/ Ghafiri
tribes would come to their assistance and so such action
on his part would probably lead to a general conflagra-
—tion throughout Oman. A state of affairs which would
render the country an easy prey for ±bn baud subsequent-
-ly and which Isa bin baleh is obviously trying to avoid.
It seems also tnat he does not wish to taice any action
which might endanger his friendly relations with the
bultan's Government and indirectly with us.
As regards bur,it was always a turbulant place,
having been the centre of the slave trade.
A wealc administration, the undermining of the
Sultan 1 s authority through French Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and a blood
feud between the sections of the Jenebeh who fzbm the