Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎273v] (551/1028)

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In July His Highness visited India on a three months’ tour during which
time he was received by His Excellency the Viceroy at Simla.
His Highness, who carries an exceedingly shrewd head on his young
shoulders, takes a keen personal interest in the administration of his State and
evinces considerable strength of character in dealing with problems that con
front him.
Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal, the eldest of His Highness’ uncles, still declines to ^
take any active part in State affairs but Saiyid Hamid bin Faisal (the tVali
of Matrah) and many other members of the Royal Family are employed in
various Departments of the Administration.
2. State Finance .—Captain R. G. E. W. Alban having been appointed Finan
cial Adviser and Commandant, Muscat Infantry, assumed charge of his duties
on 26th January.
The year 1932 commenced with accrued savings of Rs. 24,000 but with out
standings to the Government of India of Rs. 58,000 and to other creditors
merchants, etc., of approximately Rs. 1,40,000. Rigid economy and retrench
ment throughout the year has resulted at its close in the clearance of the debt
to the Government of India and of approximately Rs. 40,000 of other debts.
Arrangements are being made to pay off the balance of the debts in due course.
Although this is a most satisfactory improvement, the State is still con
fronted by serious difficulties and it seems probable that even further retrench
ment will have to be devised if the State is to balance its Budget in the ensuing
years.
3. Events of Political Interest in State limits .—The principal focii of interest
during the year were at Sur and Gwadur.
Sur .—Ae has already been shown in the Administration Report for 1931,
Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah al Hamudah of Jaalan had offered considerable opposi
tion to the establishment of an efficient Customs Administration at Aiqa.
In spite of most generous terms offered to him by the Sultan, the Sheikh
remained obdurate in his attitude.
At the close of 1931 the situation was under reference to H. M.’s Govern
ment with the recommendation of 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. that Naval and Air actions should be taken against the Beni Bu
Ali, Sheikh All’s tribe, should they persist in their contumacy.
These recommendations having been accepted by H. M.’s Government pre
parations for a concentration of force in the Sur neighbourhood were inaugurated
in February.
By the 4th March a seaplane base had been established at Khor Jaramah,
where 100 rank and tile of the Muscat Infantry, under the orders of Captain
R. G. Alban, afforded protection to a Royal Air Force dump.
On the same day H. M. Ships “ Shoreham “ Bideford ” and “ Fowey ”,
with 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. , 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. , Muscat, His High
ness the Sultan and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. on board, concentrated at
Sur.
Touch was maintained with Captain Alban’s detachment by Mireless Tele
graphy, which had been installed against eventualities on board the State gun
boat “ Al Saidi ” lying at Khor Jaramah.
As a tentative measure a Customs party was put shore at Aiqa on the 4th
March but, ]>uf their landing being opposed, they returned to the sloops.
Warnings were therefore issued to the Beni bu Ali that, failing the accept
ance of a Customs post at Aiqa by noon'on the 7th March, this village would be
bombarded and Sheikh Ali’s fort at Jaalan bombed from the air. These warn
ings were distributed by aeroplane.
Sheikh Ali meanwhile arrived at Aiqa from Jaalan on the 7th March and
immediately addressed a most truculent letter to the Sultan.
The ultimatum having expired without the acceptance of the terms, the
Beni bu Ali were given notice to remove their women and children from the
threatened areas, as the bombardment of Aiqa and aerial action against Jaalan
would commence from dawn of the 9th instant.
On the 8th instant, as a result of this threat, Sheikh Ali intimated his
acceptance of the establishment of a Customs post at Aiqa, and in due course