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FOBLIC

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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and still exists in Persia, might enable the Sultan to wield more influence than he does at present; and I was informed that such a post used to exist in the Maldives.

14. Abdul Hamid Didi informed me the next morning that the Sultan highly approved of my proposals, that the Private Secretary wished to resign if they were not accepted, and that they were generally approved except by the Prime Minister, who was determined to procrastinate, and was busy telling everyone that I was only staying for four days and that there would be no change. He also told me that the Prime Minister, during his recent visit to Egypt, had come under the influence of Mahas Pasha, who had warned him against permitting any British interference in Maldivian affairs, and that the sole reason for delay in completing negotiations for the purchase of a steamship was that the Prime Minister feared that the existence of a regular steamship service might facilitate foreign penetration. Abdul Hamid Didi also brought a message from the Crown Prince who expressed a wish to see me in the presence of Abdul Hamil Didi and my Aide-de-Camp alone.

15. Accordingly at 2.30 on the afternoon of 7th March, I visited the Prince at his house. The Prince, who is suffering from venereal disease, seemed in fair health, spoke English with considerable fluency, and appeared much more intelligent than I had been given reason to believe him to be. He expressed a keen desire to take an active part in affairs and produced a letter to me from his father, written in Maldivian without the knowledge of the Prime Minister. In this letter the Sultan expressed a strong wish that his son should be immediately proclaimed Crown Prince and be accorded the full privileges of that office. I told the Prince that I would consult the Ministers in regard to this matter, and strongly advised him to go to India or Ceylon and take a course of treatment there and endeavour to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of the people on his return.

16. The facts of the Prince's case, as I learned them immediately afterwards from Abdul Hamid Didi and the Private Secretary are as follows. Among the Mal- divians any person found guilty of adultery is ipso facto disqualified from holding any public office. Some years ago a certain noble complained that his daughter was pregnant by the Prince, and demanded a judicial inquiry. Upon the Prince declaring upon oath that he was not guilty the Court, according to the Shara Law, had no option but to acquit him. But, according to Maldivian custom, this formal acquittal was insufficient, in view of the weight of evidence of the Prince's guilt (of which there appears to be no doubt whatever), to acquit him in the eyes of the people, and he was deprived of his privileges. In spite of this the Private Secretary expressed the opinion that it would be possible for the Prince to be rehabilitated with the consent of the people (an opinion subsequently confirmed by the Qadhi) if he satisfied them that he had really abandoned his disreputable habits. Rehabilitation at the moment he con- sidered out of the question, although being the Prince's father-in-law, he was very anxious that he should succeed to the throne.

17.

I next proceeded to the Kachcheri to have a talk with the Prime Minister. I thought it advisable to leave Abdul Hamid Didi out of this discussion, and took with me only the Private Secretary and my Aide-de-Camp, the discussion being con- ducted in Arabic. The Prime Minister said that he had no hopes whatever that the Prince would reform. He did not. however, object to his being given a last chance, and would not stand in the way of his being sent to India. As regards the proposed constitutional reforms, he expressed full agreement with my suggestions. I said that I hoped it would be possible for some definite steps to be taken before my departure, and he replied that some form of proclamation would be possible, and that he would endeavour to arrange it.

18. Upon my return to the ship I addressed a further letter to the Sultan, of which I enclose a copy. The next morning (8th March) I visited the Sultan in his Palace at 10.30 a.m. The Prime Minister, Private Secretary, and Qadhi were present, and Abdul Hamid Didi interpreted. I spoke first about the Prince, and repeated what I had said in my letter, extracting again from the Prime Minister a promise that he would not stand in the way of the Prince going to India. His Highness pressed for an immediate proclamation, saying that the people were uncertain as to the status of the Prince. I pointed out that the matter lay, not in my hands, but in the hands of the people (to which His Highness assented), and stressed the necessity for the complete abandonment by the Prince of the habits which had earned the disapproba- tion of the people. I said that until the Prince had, by reformed ways, regained his lost reputation, any attempt at rehabilitation would be useless. His Highness finally, though with evident reluctance, agreed with me.

19. I then turned to the constitutional question. I congratulated His Highness on the contentment, good order, and prosperity obtaining in his dominions, and upon

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the efficiency of the administration. I then recapitulated my reasons for suggesting a change of system, emphasizing that it was the existing system, and not existing officials, that I was criticizing. His Highness said that he considered my suggestions most acceptable. I then inquired about a proclamation, and His Highness turned to the Prime Minister, who said that one was being prepared for issue, that afternoon. I asked to be given a copy, and this was promised. I purposely avoided any dis- cussion of the details of this proclamation, as the main desideratum appeared to me that there should be some sort of pronouncement before my departure, and I feared that a discussion over details might give the Prime Minister opportunity for procras- tination and result in nothing being done. After arranging for His Highness to visit the Enterprise in the afternoon I took my leave.

20. The same afternoon, about 4.45, His Highness came on board to pay his farewell visit. Officers to him. I then met him and conducted him aft, where a group photograph He was greeted by Captain Phillips, who introduced the senior was taken. He was then conducted round the waist of the ship. Guns and tor- pedoes appeared to interest him little, as he said he had seen them before, but he spent some time in the galley and the sick bay, where he spoke to the three patients then in hospital and inquired in detail about their ailments. We then returned to the quarter-deck, where I had a short confidential conversation with His Highness, the Prime Minister, and Abdul Hamid Didi. His Highness again asked that his son be proclaimed Crown Prince at once, to which I replied that I felt unable to vary the advice which I had given him that morning. He then asked if I had any objection to his trying to persuade the Prime Minister to agree to an immediate proclamation. I replied that I had neither the power nor the wish to object, and that if the nobles and people agreed to accept the Prince no one would be more pleased than myself I then turned to the Prime Minister and begged him to endeavour to cultivate more friendly relations with the Prince. He replied that he had often tried to do so, but without success. I told His Highness that I would make inquiries as to the expenses of the Prince's visit to India, and write to him on the subject from Colombo. expressed the fear that the Prime Minister would make difficulties. I said that I felt certain that the assurances in this regard already given by the Prime Minister would be implemented. but asked him to repeat them, which he did. Then followed the usual exchange of farewell compliments, His Highness displaying great cordiality and assuring me that he hoped for great results from my visit. His Highness then left the ship, under a salute of 17 guns, and the Enterprise weighed anchor and left for Colombo. 21. A proclamation in regard to the constitution had been duly made at 12.0 noon on the day of our departure. It ran as follows:-

He

"We hereby inform all our people to remember that we have decided in accordance with Islamic religion that the administration of the affairs of the Kingdom will hereafter be carried on under the authority of the Sultan by a Council of nobles and ministers."

22.

The proclamation is sufficiently vague and noncommittal, and I feel sure that the Prime Minister will still do his best to avoid any change. Abdul Hamid Didi is however confident that a change will be insisted upon, popular opinion being against the present regime. The discussions which have been aroused by my visit, and the advice received from me will, he thinks; provide the necessary stimulus, and those who have long desired reforms will, he believes, now have the courage to take an active part in ensuring that those reforms are actually brought about. justified, the main object of my mission will have been accomplished.

If this optimism is

23. In regard to the Prince I am less hopeful. Abdul Hamid Didi is convinced that he has no intention whatever of reforming, that he wishes to visit India merely that he may indulge more freely in the pleasures of music and its less innocuous con- comitants, and that his desire for power in the Island is the result, not of any interest in the welfare of the people, but of a wish for greater freedom to indulge in his dis- reputable pursuits. I consider it wise that he should be given a last chance either to rehabilitate or finally to discredit himself, but after further consultation with Abdul Hamid Didi, I have come to the conclusion that he would have too great freedom in India, where it would be difficult to arrange for any proper supervision, and that a visit to Colombo is more likely, or perhaps I should say less unlikely, to produce good results. I have therefore decided, after ascertaining the necessary expenses of resi- dence and treatment in Colombo, to write to the Sultan explaining the difficulties attendant upon a visit to India, and recommending a visit to Colombo instead. If this

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