'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎57v] (119/412)

Wf.
8
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE
The Persian Post Office has no parcel post convention, no V. P. P. system,
while the money order system is by no means efficient. The closure of the
British offices before adequate guarantees are given for the efficient conduct by
the Persian Post Office of these special services would undoubtedly have a
detrimental effect on British Commercial interests especially in Arabistan
where receipts from the V. P. P. and Money Order services are heavy owing to
the presence of a large number of British and Indian employees of the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company. The type of Persian Postal Official at present employed
in the South is certainly quite incapable of conducting these services satisfac
torily.
The whole matter is now under negotiation with the Persian Government
and it is hoped that satisfactory guarantees will be forthcoming for the efficient
conduct of these special services, before the British Post Offices are closed.
The traffic in arms and ammunition from the Arabian to the Persian
Coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. continued
Arms Traffic. throughout the year, and at one period
appeared to be slightly on the increase but it is extremely difficult to verify
ports received, which often seem to be somewhat stimulated by the presence
re
of one of His Majesty's ships on a particular portion of the Coast. There is
however one marked difference in the conditions of the Arms Traffic of the
present time as compared with former years, namely that whereas in former
years whole dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. -loads of arms and ammunition were shipped across in these
days a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. only carries a few rifles and small consignments of ammunition
concealed in the general cargo. In August under instructions from the
Secretary of State for India a Committee consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel
A. P. Trevor, C. S. I., C. I. E., 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. , Captain
J. L. Pearson, C. M. G., Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Major
W. G. Hutchinson, 0. B. E., Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kalat, on behalf of the Agent to
the Governor-General in Baluchistan and Major J. C. More, U. S. 0., Political
Agent, Kuwait on behalf of His Excellency the High Commissioner in Iraq
assembled at Karachi to consider and recommend what measures should
be taken to combat any recrudescence of the Arms Traffic.
The Committee came to the conclusion that despite the fact that the
figures relating to the Arms Traffic showed no immediate marked increase,
traders were watching their opportunity and the large collection of arms now
in Arabia was a source of future potential danger, and that this danger would
undoubtedly materialise if the reports of activity of European dealers in ship
ping arms and ammunition to the ports in the Red Sea were correct.
The following measures were advocated by the Committee :—
(a) The maintenance of the existing Naval forces in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
(&) The erection of a wireless installation at Kuwait for direct communi
cation with His Majesty's Ships.
(c) Pressure on Sheikhs and in the case of Kuwait an effort to persuade
the Sheikh to establish registration of arms.
During the year H. M. S.
Visits of H. M. Ships.
Manumission of slaves.
Muscat
Bahrain .
Shargah .
Bandar Abbas .
Renown " visited Bushire once, H. M, S. Triad
twice, H. M. S. Espiegle twice, H. M. S.
Cyclamen eight times and H. M. S.
Crocus four times.
The number of slaves manumitted
during the year was as follows :—
. 3 slaves.
. .. . . . . 2 „
4 „
• • . . • . 5 ,,
14
Bushlre ;
The 9ih May 1922.
A. P. TREVOR, Lieutenant-Colonel,
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. .