'File 8/63 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: SHIHUH TRIBE.' [‎26r] (51/56)

The beach itself is a gently shelving one involving
long stretches of dangerous wading especially at some stages
of the tide. It is baciced by a date grove which would afford
considerable cover to defenders.
The old Portuguese fort ib in a state of rum and
would have to be built up in animproved way from inside by
any force that landed to occupy it. These considerations plus
hostile nf&e strength of 1500 and behind it ail a fanatical
and unyielding spirit are considerations which in my judgment
preculde the possibility of using the Muscat infantry with any
hope of HHggggg success.
The Shihuh derive a good deal of their livelihood
from fishing sea trading and pearl fishing. They are therefore
vulnerable to sea power* and could be made to suffer by a
blockade.
rressure also could be applied by the sequestration
of certain date gardens owned by them in the hatinah. This
measure in itself however would be insufficinet to induce a
spirit of KMrYwxanigg surrender.
Such measures could perhaps be considered as
threats to be carried out in the event of she .ish nasan not
agreeing to a fine payment or personal surrender to be followed
by his imprisonment in muscat.
iou may deem the envisaging of such contingencies
premature at tne moment as tne sheilch has not yet returned to
hhasab and it is not considered possible for him to return
before Wednesday 2nd at the earliest, indeed in view of (l)
the seriousness of~his later actions, witness letter & to
\
Sheilch Isa purporting to come from some nonentity but
obviously inspired by the Sheilch (ii; the excellent sanctuary
his inaccessible mountains provide, he may not be prepared at
this stage and without some pressure to come in of his own
free will and treat for terms.