'File 11/36 Political Situation at Muscat' [‎6r] (11/18)

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of ob much money oe possible and to this end Dulichond is
given o free hrnd. The feet that fiie Highness expends none
of his revenue in improving the condition of his people,
— ——* ■ _ —-— >
whether it be in Kuscot ond Motroh, or in the outlying
districts of the Botinoh, tends to confirm the view that
money is being collected for on ulterior purpose, i^e. the
embellishment of Dhofar with the ultimate object of
transferring the seat of Government to that Province.
16. The Director of Revenues since hie accession to
pov/er, has spared no opportunity of consolidating his own
position by introducing his own friends ond relatives to
every Deportment of Government, from the Muscat Infantry to
the Muscat and Gwadur Customs. There is no doubt that his
influence with the Sultan is supreme and is chiefly directed
to misleading the Ruler and alienating him, as far as
possible from British influence ond control.
17. Another potent onti-Eritish influence to which the
Sultan is exposed is afforded by one Itmoil Sffendi, a young
Palestinian, of the scmi-cauccted, know-oll "intellegensio"
type, so common now in Palestine and elsewhere.
This young man, a relic of the school masters
imported from Palestine by Mr. Bertram Thomas, has been
employed in a private capacity by the Sultan since the closing
of the Muscat school ond should the school ever be opened is
certain to be appointed Head master thereto.
He is rabidly anti-British but, lacking the finesse
of his Hindu compere, he is unable to restrain his feelings
and gives full vent publicly to his anti-British sentiments.
He is the close and constant companion of the Sultan who, jdus
to quote His Highness* own words 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. , has
,? a great admiration for the extensive learning and wide
knowledge of Ismail Effendi". There is no doubt that he
exercises a great influence on the Sultan, to whom he
constantly retails the "horrors' 1 ond" iniquities" of British
Administration in Palestine.