"الإصلاحات في مسقط: الجمارك؛ الموارد المالية، والمفاوضات مع العُـمانيين" [و‎‎٩‎٩] (٥٠٨/٢٠٢)

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put in power. It la 8trans action only that will bring them
to their senses.
In the event of an unfavourable reply from Sheikh
Isa, I venture to bu ^S 68 ^ foil wing course of action
whicn will be fully in accorlance with our treaty with the
Sultan while it will commit us in no way, cause us no extra
expence anl involve us in no aggressive action.
It is only necessary fotLus to cease to RWtfcKa
restrain tae Sultan from acts of retaliation against the
Omanis. He will inevitably reimpose the full restrictions on
entering Muscat anl Mattrah, forbil traling with the Omanis
and impose a prohibitive zakat. This will certainly cause
dislocation of trade and possibly loss to British merchants.
On the other hand it will be only temporary, and it is
theoretically fully witnin the Sultan's power to take this
action. If this is combined with revised customs arrangements
and a systam of guarantees which I have proposed elsewxiere
in cases of export from India, this will very rapidly bring
iiruvuiti y &
the Omanis to reason, „ iU.tad -
/U. k t * M i+usv "U+LM tvJj <<7 ___ Ul-UMZIU
I have suggested that the Sultan svisitto ^
India he officially fixed for the beginning of February
whether an arrangement is arrive! at with trie Omanis or not.
This will not be without its ai feet*
I would urge again that in dealing with klli
these people wuo are fanatical, ignorant anl barbarous, we
must not permit shillyshallying. Should they not agree to the
terms they have broken their word to us, and we cannot
continue to champion their cause against the Sultan, Tor this
ie really what we are doing. For however much it may be st
r argued that without our help the Sultan would be driven into
' th» sea, the fact remains that we support the Sultan as the
legitimate ruler and the Omanis are the aggressors. Tney
cannot eat their cake and have it.
; I have the honour to be , _ ^
/I i
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