File 619/1907 Pt 6 'Arms traffic:- Persian Gulf - Searching of vessels in territorial waters of Trucial Chiefs. Position of Katr [Qatar].' [‎255v] (50/124)

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126
Telegram, No. 108, dated the 19th November 1912.
From — His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department, Simla.
With reference to telegramf from British Consul-General at Bushire,
No. 1330, I think the suggestion a good
one. I have latterly refrained from re-
a
commending punishment of crews as it probably would have become im
practicable to carry it out at Jask owing to number of dbows seized, but some
further deterrent seems necessary, and I recommend that eflects of it be tried.
127
Telegram P., No. 1337, dated (and received) the 21st November 1912.
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla (repeated to His Britannic Majesty's Consul,
Maskat, for communication to His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-
Chief).
• Serial No. 115 . Your telegram* No. 679 S. and tele-
t Semi No. m. gramf No. 211 from Knox.
All responsible for jurisdictions on littoral of Gulf of Oman and Persia
with the exception of Katar have notified the prohibitions against imports of
arms and ammunition. Notification by Sultan that no transhipment of arms
and ammunition in his territorial waters to any of these prohibited jurisdictions
except on production of an explicit license from the Government concerned
would be allowed. It would seem necessary for Sultan in order to place his
administration on a proper footing in this respect to issue rules on the lines as
far as applicable of sections 6 and 10 of the Indian Arms Act of 1878 and of
Chapter 12 of the Sea Customs Act of 1878.
If the rules already issued are legal, there would seem to be nothing in
action suggested above incompatible with Article 6 of the British and
Article 10 of the Prench Commercial Treaty with Maskat.
Should the arms dealers make use of Katar loophole for defeating above
rules, we should have strong justification for forcing Shaikh of Katar to issue
a prohibition or for taking other measures to regulate Katar difficulty, regard-
. _ . , v M ing which please see my letter! of 27th
X SeriHl No. 63. -.y 1 oon o
ultimo, No. 2818.
128
Telegram P., No. 1341, dated the 21st (received 22nd) November 1912.
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla (repeated to His Excellency the Naval Com
mander-in-Chief.)
It is shown by Major Craufurd’s diaries for periods ending 31st October,
7th November and 13th November that smuggling community understands
meaning of ictention of all ships of war at Maskat and inability to cruise take
advantage of this with worst possible results. I beg that Government of India
should consider expediency of asking His Majesty’s Government whether the
state of the negotiations does not admit some relaxation of present strict
concentration at Maskat of His Majesty’s ships.