ملف رقم ٢٨٦٩ لسنة ١٩٠٦، جزء ٢، "تجارة الأسلحة: ساحل مكران وبلوشستان. مراسلات (١٩٠٨-١٩٠٩)" [و‎‎٧‎٠] (٥٥٤/١٤٨)

away from ihe Afghan Frontier. Action along the Mekran Coast has the
certain following advantages, in addition to the support of the Navy, over action
m the interior :— J
(1) Good telephonic communication all along the Coast between Jask
and Chahbar.
(2) The tracks leading from one small harbour to the next run parallel
to and are close to the Coast line. Thus the question of transport
for stores, etc., is greatly simplified.
(3) The Country is level and going good, except after heavy rains.
(4) The local people are, I know, more friendly disposed than those of
the interior.
7. I do not propose in this letter to deal with the extensive trade in arms
with Koweit and the other parts of Arabia, This trade appears at present to
be in a a fluctuating stage. The meeting of the Conference had a retarding
influence, but as soon as the news arrived that no agreement had been come to,
extensive orders to Europe for fresh supplies were sent. The recent rumour
that Basreh is to be an open port is creating a great stir in the local Market, as
this would mean that the more extensive and profitable part of the trade would
desert Maskat for Basreh.
8. A copy of this letter will he forwarded to the Government of India in
the Eoreign Department.
No. 2932, dated Shiraz, the 28th September (Bushire the 4th October) 1908.
From— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
To—S. H. Butt.er, Esq., C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign
Department, Simla.
In continnation of my telegram No. 101 (Shiraz) of to-day’s date, I have the
honour to forward a copy of Mr. New’s sketch of the field covered by the
movements of the Arms Smugglers on the Mekran Coast.
I thought a copy of the sketch had been sent direct to the Foreign Depart
ment by the Director, Persian Gulf Telegraphs, simultaneously with Mr. New’s
report.
Telegram P., No. S.-628, dated the 21st October 1908.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department,
To—The Hon’ble Major Sir H. McMahon, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Agent to the
Governor-General in Baluchistan.
Arms traffic. Please submit, as soon as possible, by telegraph, any sugges
tions regarding measures for suppressing traffic from Mekran Coast during
forthcoming season, which you may have to offer.
Telegram P., No. S.-629, dated the 21st October 1908.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, Simla,
To— Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
New’s arrangements for telephones and patrols on Mekran Coast should be
repeated this season, with such variations as may be rendered advisable by local
circumstances.
Any recommendations or suggestions which you may have to make regard
ing measures for the suppression of the arms traffic from Mekran Coast to
Afghanistan during the forthcoming season, should be submitted, as soon as.
practicable, by telegram.
19
G. C. B. P., Simla.—No, C-432 F. D.—20 1-09.—44.—E. A. D’Sv