"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [ظ‎‎٨‎٠] (٤١٢/١٦٥)

£ , administration ueport of the
diture consists in the payment of tribal levies when they are needed by the
Imam for any specific purpose, and by far the heaviest item, the othga ory
entertainment of sheikhs and their retinues.
Politically the Imam has to steer a careful course between the great tribal
factions, the Hinawi and the Ghafiri. Though for the moment comparative
peace prevails, largely through the astute policy of Sheikh Isa, there are often
small factional affairs which need careful handling to prevent their develop
ment into serious tribal warfare. The position of the Lruiuiinsjchaconstitu-
tion is both delicate and unsafe. Of this, as he cannot fail to be from the
history of his predecessors, he is perfectly well aware. ^ id
to please both parties, and never gives a decis.on if he can P^ly ^Oid
doino- so The real ruler behind the facade of the Imam is Sheikh Isa bm
Salih al Harithi, the paramount chief of Sharqiyah and the head ot the
Hinawi confederation. To him Oman owes its independence and the Imam his
riectinn. Though little is known of him, he is unquestionably one of the most
remarkable figures in contemporary Arabian history.
In religious matters, in contradistinction to the rule of the late Imam,
toleration is the policy, and the Mutawwa party though still exercising great
influence, has declined in power.
In the government of the interior the chief event of the ^ar w as the effort
of the Imam and Sheikh Isa to bring to book the murderer of the late Imam.
The Al Wahaiba, a Bedouin tribe to whom the murderer belonged, were unable
o, to g W. H. -p. «—f 1 r*jrt. "T SJUPS
the tribe and several of the sheikhs were imprisoned. As the ^rdeier had
bv this time escaped to Trucial Oman, nothing however could be done, and the
affair died down. Oman opinion held that the Imam had mismanaged it, as
much by the needless expense he had incurred as by his lailure.
An attempt was made by the Imam in August to include the Bam Battash
and their country in his sphere of government, and a Wall and Qazi were des
patched to the tribe. The Bani Battash who inhabit the country behind
Ourvat have invariablv been subjects of the Sultan and were not parties on
the Imam's side to the Agreement of Sib. The act was tl '® e£ ^ e ^ l g ^Ws
ment of the clause in the agreement promising non-interference inthe Sultan
government. The Political Agent was compelled to address a strong letter to
Sheikh Isa on the subject. The affair was in fact an intrigue on the part of
the Sheikh of the Bani Battash and in no way represented th « ^ ^ he3 0 '; ^
tribe. Though unimportant in itself, action was necessary to prevent such an
example being followed. „ , , ,
The prolonged drought of over three years seriously affected the country
and the date crop was below the average, while cereals practically wcnt o
of cultivation and fodder was extremely scarce. Good rain at the ena ot the
year has however greatly improved the prospects tor next year.
There was a somewhat severe outbreak of cholera in the Semail -valley
coincident with the Muttrah outbreak, m September. The diseas
probably brought by Baluchis from Mekran moving into the interior tor
date harvest.
His Highness' Administration.
{a) The ruling family.
The actual administration was throughout the year carried on by the
Council of Ministers inaugurated in October 1920, the personne
remained unchanged.
His Highness who had returned to Muscat from India
November 1920, left again for India via Gwadur where he stayed to
fortnight, in February of the year under report, and did ^ot return^again.
During his presence in the capital as during his absence he too Ahdica-
and did not interfere in any way in. the administration of the state Ab
tion is still his aim, and failing this h^ uesires no responsibility, a large income,
and to see his country and his people as little as pr '