'P. 3 733/1904. Muscat :- Commercial Treaties.' [‎246r] (77/286)

which are enjoyed within the same dominions by
similar public functionaries of other countries (4)
N ote (1) ^ reciprocally ” omitted, but practically
all owed for, in the way Article is worded in the
Arabic.
I could probably arrange for a closer adap
tation to the English.
(2) Most objeotionable interpolation. Prob
a bly introduced with the very object of defeating,
w hen occasion offers, the privileg e established by
the Article.
(Sj Tide note (4) to Article II.
(4) From <( Each of the High Contracting*
Parties ” to end of Article, L have followod draft
treaty as sense is maintained throughout, thoug h
verbal adaptations bringing Arabic translatio n
closer to English seem to me advisable.
Article IV.
There shall be perfect freedom of commerce
and navigation between the two High Contracting
Parties ; and each shall allow the subjects of the
other to enter all ports, creeks, and rivers belong
ing to the two Governments, with their vessels
and cargoes except places in a s tate of war or in
which there is danger to life or p roperty on
a ccoun t of w T ant of secur ity in those parts. Then
the entry to those parts shall be after perm ission.
(1) And to the subjects of both parties there shall
be license to travel, and pursue commerce and
trade, whether wholesale or retail, in each others'
dominions, and therein to hire, purchase or possess
houses, warehouses, and shops, and stores, and
lands. (2) And also it shall be lawful for the
subjects of the two High Parties (3) everywhere,
that they shall buy, barter, sell—and that direct,
or by means of agents—all kinds of merchandise,
articles of import, or native production, for sale
in their respective countries (3) or for transport to
foreign countries, except intoxicants an d warlike
material. Then it is for the Sultan of Maskat or
for his naib the license or prohibition of their
import or of their sale throughout his domini ons.
(4) And it is lawful to them also that they should
consult on the fixing of the price of all such goods
and produce with their owner or his agent without
the smallest interference on the part of the officials
of the Highness of both Parties (5) and to His
Highness the Sultan is reserved the privilege and
monopoly in all that pertains to commerce and
Profits "~
Native produce throughout his dominions. (6)
taxes
— Note (1 ), This gives a handle for constant
interfere nce and Hiough^a^na tural enough pro
vision, if we were sure that it would be reasonably
used, might be most embarrassing in practise. It
would, if it was to be seriously considered, have
to be coupled with a reservation makingjmjexcep-
tion in favour of British subjects domiciled in the
place in a state of war or insecurity. Otherwise,
at^every Bedouin squabble—and it is believed t hat
half Om an is in a permanent state of insecurity
Article 4.
There shall be perfect freedom of commerce and
navigation between the High Contracting Parties;
each shall allow the subjects of the other to enter
all ports, creeks, and rivers with their vessels and
cargoes, also to travel, reside, pursue commerce
and trade, whether wholesale or retail, in each
other’s dominions, and therein to hire, purchase,
and possess houses, warehouses, shops, stores,
and lands. British subjects shall everywhere be
freely permitted, whether personally or by agent,
to bargain for, buy, barter, and sell all kinds of
goods, articles of import, or native production,
whether intended fur sale within the dominions
of His Highness or for export, and to arrange
with the owner or his agent regarding the price
of all such goods and produce without interference
of any sort on the part of the authority of His
Highness.
His Highness the Sultan of Muskat binds
himself not to allow or recognise the establish
ment of any kind of monopoly or exclusive privi
lege of trade within his dominions to any Govern
ment, Association, or individual.