"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٧‎٢] (٣٩٦/١٥٠)

1*1
FOE THE TEAR 1916. 65
if no further calls were made thus it would be optimistic to imagine that, on
present lines, the state of the finances of the Stace will be in a more flourishing
condition in three years' time than they are to-day.
The subject of zikat, which has proved troublesome in previous years, was
avoided this year by the Sultan's agreeing not to impose an extra tax of 10 per
cent in addition to the noimal 5 per cent, on dates exported to the coast
by _ his rebellious subjects of the interior. The question of zikat, lived
In 1914, has not been terminated. The incidence fell upon the British
Subjects ^ho exported rather than upon the" contumacious subjects whom
His Highness desired to punish, and the matter still remains to be dealt
with.
In July a complaint was made against the Wali of Khaburah who, not for
the first time was levying a 5 per cent, export tax and was refusing to grant
a certificate for payments so made. At the end of the year a similar complaint
was again received.
The Political Agent was desirous of visiting the spot to make personal
enquiries but, owing to the fact that he is dependent upon Naval vessels to
reach any of the ports in which he may have work, the matter had to be left no
vessel being available.
It will not be out of place to mention the fact of the difficulty caused by
no Launch being supplied to the Maskat Agency.
The town of Muttrah is practically a suburb of Maskat, but it takes 45
minutes by rowing boat to visit that place and thus the best part of a day is
taken up in any such visit.
The previous year closed with the whole of the interior in the hands of the
„ " Imam and his Lieutenants, Isa bin
Condition of country. o ti i tt* 'ii • i tt i • xt • 1
balin-el-liiritm ana Hamyar bin Masir-el
Nebhani, Chief Shaikh of the el-Riami. Humours of attacks on the capital and
on the ports, especially Barkah, were frequent throughout the year.
A collection of men which was taking place at Nakhl, in October, under the
" Imam " dispersed on the arrival of H. M. S. " Britomart " at Barkah.
Fighting took place at Ja'alan where a party under the orders of Ali-bin-
Salih, a brother of Isa bin Salih, the Chief rebel, attacked Ja'alan. The place
was defended by the Beni Jabir who beat off the attack.
There were rumours also in the latter part of the year of an attack on Rustaq,
which had once surrendered to the " Imam, " but apparently had not been
held. These rumours are culminating in a projected attack at the moment of
writing after the close of the year. Bustaq is held by a branch of the Al Bu
Saidi family and the present holder is a cousin of the Sultan; the rulers are
practically independent and among the local Arabs receive the same form of
address as His Highness, i.e., Saiyid.
During the year there were various defections from the cause of His
Highness.
In April Nasir bin Humaidi Attabi visited the Sultan and received pre
sents of money, rice and arms but, in June, he went over to the <{ Imam ".
In July he was followed by Muhammad bin Talib Al Harasi w T ho had been
appointed Shaikh of Mazehi near Eustaq by the last Sultan. His defection
caused a loss of 500 to 1,000 men to the Sultan.
In September His Highness was annoyed to learn that the only fort which
he held in Hhahirah had been surrendered by the garrison.
At the end of the year His Highness' power extended only along the
coast and practically as far as the guns of Briiish ships can carry.
The Imam continued to confiscate any gardens or property owned by the
Sultan's relatives in the interior or any that were owned by people serving
His Highnes?. He states that as these are as bad Moslems as their master they
are unfit to hold property under the Shara law.
Continued reports were received that the rebel movement was losing
ground but these are undoubtedly false. The whole of the interior acknow
ledges the " Imam " who, backed by His Lieutenants, Isa bin Salih and Hamyar