File 619/1907 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic:- Muscat dhows. "Kadra" case.' [‎391r] (790/804)

FOREIGN SECRET TELEGRAMS.
Secret Department.
flag. Umberto personally promised his utmost exertion to see Sultan of
Muscat should have satisfaction in this matter. Failing this Umberto
declared to me he would have to telegraph to his Government for authority
accrediting and appointing him Consular Agent here, so that he may
personally be able to treat with Sultan of Muscat direct about the matter
He expressed himself as unwilling to do this,,and asked for my especial
assistance to press Sultan of Muscat at once over this affair, on the grounds
ot inendship between Italian and English Governments. Sultan of Muscat
indignantly repudiates what he considers injustice of proposals. He asks
or your and Government of India’s special support to protect him in
matter I lease telegraph me fullest instructions as to how you wish me
to deal with incident, as Umberto presses for a reply at once from Sultan of
Muscat.
( 2 .) No. 1001 . Your telegram of the 12 th May, No. 496. You can
inform Italian agent verbally that some months ago Sultan of Muscat
requested British Government to represent his interests in this case, and to
communicate to Italian Government his protest and claim for damages.
Remind Agent that we have been specifically instructed that his position in
Muscat is simply that of informer in connection with arms traffic, and
inform him that you cannot discuss present case with him, nor tender
any advice to Sultan of Muscat in the sense desired, without definite
instructions from Government, to whom present proposals of Italian Consul-
General and remarks of Monsieur Omar are being communicated.
“ You might remind latter, after verification from files, that Italian Consul-
General received instructions in January last to release the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. , and that
the crew have been sent from Muscat to Aden by Sultan of Muscat at
considerable expense on the express understanding, conveyed in letter from
Italian Consul-General to Resident at Aden, that dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. would be ready for
delivery on their arrival.
Also point out to him that il dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. is detained until after monsoon
owners claim for damages will be considerably augmented.
“ Inform Sultan of Muscat verbally of purport of your reply to Italian
Agent, and advise His Highness to maintain the present attitude pending the
receipt of the views of the British Government. Addressed to Muscat;
repeated to Foreign.”
(3.) “No. 1002. My immediately preceding telegram. Question
regarding rifle and dollars can be discussed at leisure ; but it is most
important that dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. should reach Sur before monsoon has commenced. It
required considerable persuasion to induce Sultan of Muscat to provide
1,200 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. for despatch of crew to Aden, and he did so on the under-/
standing that dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. was at owners’ disposal. French Consul now at Sur, and
failure on our part to obtain adequate reparation for Sultan will be most
harmful to our interests in Oman. Addressed to Foreign and repeated to
Muscat.”
We consider that action of Italian authorities was calculated to prejudice
success of attempt to obtain co-operation of Sultan in suppression of arms
traffic, and may lead to Sultan’s subjects reviving use of foreign flags, a
practice which it is to the interests of both Governments to prevent. We
trust that, in view of the friendly desire to co-operate hitherto evinced by
Italian Government, representations to them may result in obtaining
reparation for Sultan, and compensation for his losses.
Copies of correspondence follow by mail.