'Précis of Maskat affairs, 1892-1905; In two parts: Part I 1892-1898; Part II 1899-1905 By J A Saldanha, BA, LL B' [‎86] (104/176)

86
CHAPTEB XX.
The Erencli flag question, 1899—1904.
(i) Vigorous action taken by the Sultan in the French Flag Question, 1900.
400. We have dealt above with the early history of the French Flag
question up to the close of the year 1899 (See Chapter XIV), the action taken
by the British Government in demaurlmg the adoption of a distinctive flag
for Maskat in the ultimatum presented to the Sultan in February 1899, and
half-hearted action taken by him in the matter (paragraph 340, Chapter XVIII).
401. We shall now proceed with the subsequent history of the question.
In October 1899, the French Government complained through their
Ambassador in London that Major Fagan
sSlf;d.t,d had called in question the validity of
27th October i8^o. French protection accorded to Sari dhows
jm.No. 5. flying the French flag and demanded
from the Sultan that he should enforce the discontinuance of the use of the
French flag by his subjects, promising the assistance of a British man-of-war.
As a consequence of this complaint, the Foreign Office requested that, with
out previous reference to them, nothing should be done in the way ot forcible
intervention by British man-of-war.
• Telepram to Secretary of State, dated tbe 12th The complaint Was reported* by Major
July 1899. Fagan to be unfounded..
402. In his despatch No. 47 (Secret), dated the 24th November 1899, the
Secretary of State asked the Government of India's opinion on certain sug
gestions made as to the steps which might be taken to neutralise the effect of
the grant of the French flag. The suggestions were—
(1) That the Sultan should make an ordinance compelling every subject
of Maskat who owns a ship to register it as a Maskat ship, and
sail it under the Maskat flag.
(2) That the Sultan should declare that he would not in his terri
tory, after a date to be fixed, recognise any protection or neutra
lisation thereafter conferred on his subjects otherwise than with
his sanction or under the provisions of his treaties.
(3) That the use of the British flag should be extended so as to outbid
the French Consul.
At the same time it was requested that, with a view to the possibility of
coming to an arrangement with the French Government, a more precise
account should be furnished of the modus operandi of the French, and of the
evidence for the forthcoming to prove a connivance on their part in the slave
trade or the exact details in respect of which they could be held to fail in
their obligations under the Brussels Act, Articles 25 and 30.
403. Before the 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. could report on these points certain impor
tant steps had been taken by the Sultan, which gave a fresh development of
the French flag question.
In his telegram, dated 17th May 1900, the 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. reported that
with a view to provide the British Govern
ment with the locm standi to move and
approach the French Government in the matter, which was pointed as wanting
in Foreign Office letter, dated 20th December 1898, the Sultan had offered to
sign a letter definitely requesting the British Government to intervene with the
French Government and discuss the question with them in his behalf, with
a Tiew to effecting the removal of the flags now in use and discontinuance of
the practice.
404. The Secretary of State was asked by the Viceroy in his telegram,
1Ud No 19 dated 22nd May, whether the Foreign
Office would now act, as it seemed to His