'A strategical study of Persia and the Persian Gulf' [‎50] (58/150)

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possessed of a good weapon with a supply of ammunition, having led
to a general disregard for constituted authority and the . prosecu
tion of p, series of raids and quarrels with the attendant disturb
ance of trade and prosperity. It will be seen that, in every way,
the continuance of the traffic is injurious to British interests,
while the influx of arms of precision into the districts bordering
the North-West Frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. of India constitutes a serious menace
to the peace of the border.
85. During the past 4 years 74 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees have been spent by the
Indian Government on blockade and preventive measures, but with
only partial success. It is hoped that the Masqat arrangement
may go far to stop the traffic and there are indications that ship
ments from Europe are decreasing in consequence of its provisions.
Should it not do so, it is probable that even more drastic measures
will be forced on the Indian Government as a continuance of
the traffic must result in time in every ruffian west of our
border being armed with a magazine ride and a plentiful supply of
ammunition, a state of affairs which can only mean continual
trouble and unrest in the territories in question.
Possible Naval Stations.
86. The shores of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Arabian Sea are sin
gularly destitute of natural harbours which would serve as possible
naval stations or bases, such commercial ports as now exist being
more or less open roadsteads in which ships of any size have to lie
some distance from the shore, with relatively inadequete shelter.
87. It is evident, that for strategical reasons any naval base
in these waters should be so placed as to give command over the
narrow entrance to the Gulf and also to allow ready egress to the
open sea.
88. At the head of the Gulf the natural harbour of Khur Musa
might serve as a naval base, but its position is unsuitable strate
gically owing to the possibility of access from it to the open sea
being barred by an enemy holding the Straits of Hormuz.
89. Two splendid natural harbours, the Elphinstone and Mal
colm inlets, exist near the point of the 'Oman peninsula. The cli
mate of these harbours is, however, reported as insupportable
during the summer months, and their situation is hardly close
enough to the straits to satisfy strategical requirements. The
smaller harbour of Khur Quwai near the extreme point of the penin
sula is more suitably placed, enjoys a somewhat better climate
and is generally considered suitable as a naval coaling station.