'Muscat. Question whether a naval station could be established for use by His Majesty's ships at Khor Quwai or elsewhere in Muscat territory compatibly with the existing international agreements of His Majesty's Government'. [‎6v] (12/12)

iz;
of territorial or sovereign rights, and no difficulty need arise over this. So far as
defence is concerned, it would seem reasonable to suggest that no exception could
be taken to the equipment of the staff of the station with rifles, &c., for ordinary-
purposes of self-defence, or to the building of boundary walls ; while the knowledge
that the station was visited at regular intervals by the sloops of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Squadron would seem likely to deter surrounding tribes from makiug raids upon it.
The question of the flying of the flag is one of greater difficulty. Having regard
to the visit paid annually to Muscat by a French sloop and to the fact that the
existence of the new station must become known to the international shipping-
using the Gulf, it seems unlikely that if the flag were in fact flown it would escape
notice. Even if a flag other than the National flag were flown, and if the flagstaff
were not fixed in the ground, it might be open to France to argue that the presence
of a flag was only consistent with the existence of a naval station or depot of such
a character as to constitute an infringement of the Declaration of 1862.
47. A difficulty which should not be overlooked in connection with the
acquisition of the site is perhaps that discussed in paragraph 45 above. It is
perhaps relevant in this connection that under the Red Line Agreement Muscat
falls within the sphere of the I.P.C., which contains a French group which has
in the past shown itself extremely anxious to obtain a share in any oil development
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. area. Should oil at some time in the future be found in
the Sultan's dominions and be exploited by the I.P.O., French interest in Muscat
might very well revive and the French Government be glad to take advantage
of the existence of a British naval station to make a corresponding demand on
the Sultan.
J. G. L aithwaite.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
2nd November 1934.