File 619/1907 Pt 3 'Arms Traffic:- Koweit Trade.' [‎168v] (341/720)

was unknown, as the natives would not allow the patrol to approach; also that
the arras were still there on the 7th and were guarded by three Afghans. I
immediately signalled to “ Proserpine"’ to proceed at once to Oharbar, embark
50 men and goon to Passa Bundar and seize the cargo. At the same time 1
signalled to the Officer Commanding Troops, Jask, to obtain his sanction to
these arrangements and for him to give the necessary orders to Charbar.
I also ordered “ Proserpine ” to supplement landing party as considered
necessary.
9. At arrival at Passa Bundar the landing was effected and a thorough
searcli of all huts and the surrounding district made, but with no result, the
natives one and all denying that there had ever been any arms there. There
was nothing to be done under these circumstances but to embark the party
and return with them to Cuarbar, which was accordingly done. The followino*
day the “ Proserpine ’* returned to Gwatar and thoroughly searched the place
and the surrounding country with a party of her own men, but could find no
trace of arms, nor yet of camel tracks on any of the roads leading inland.
10 A line Inspector was then sent from Jask and Major Raven and
Mr McMeekin from Cliarhar also went to see what information they could
get; Captain Craufurd also having bis own intelligence people at work. The
result of all these investigations, although in s )me cases contradictory, generally
go to prove that 61 rifies were landed and loaded on to 8 donkeys at once and
taken inland to Bint. It appears that the patrol gave correct information in
the first place, but was afterwards intimidated by Jilal Khan and went back
on his word, though he eventually told the truth again when carefully
questioned.
11. There are various stories current as to the intention of the Afghans
both on the Mekran and the Biyaban coasts, one being that they had made
up their minds only to wait until a certain dare, and to leave with or without
their consignment of arms. Cargoes still seem to be leaving Maskat for Sohar,
but apparently are not getting much further, although every now and again
information arrives that arms will be landed at certain places on the coast.
However there has been no actual attempt so far that has been heard of except
the one already quoted at Charbar and another which is reported on lower
down.
12. On the 1th April 200 Bashkardis attacked 650 Afghans somewhere
near Sarzeh, but the Afghans had information by letter from Barkat Khan’s
father-in-law as to the time and place of the contemplated attack, and were
ready when the Bashkirdis arrived. The latter were repulsed at once and
pursued some 4 or 5 miles losing 36 men in all, 2 of whom were taken
prisoners, shot and then burnt, which action from all reports seems to have lost
them many friends in this part of the country. Since the fight I understand
that 2 or 3 Afghans have been murdered, and it is quite possible that eventually
they may have to fight their way out of the country.
13. On the 24th April the “ Philomel ”, when cruising off Ras-al-kuh,
captured 2 dhows, the contents of which were 1997 ritles, 158 mauser pistols
and 907,000 rounds of ammunition. A separate report has been sent in on
this subject. The^ arms and ammunition were consigned to Jan Muhammad
Nurakai and Nadir Shore Afridi. 1 hose cargoes have since been jettisoned in
accordance with orders received by telegraph from you.
11 . In obedience to orders contained in your telegram No. 78, I pro
ceeded to Ma^kat on the 5th M iy to confer with Major Trevor as to the suit
ability of the merchant Nassib Bin Muhammad to hold the contract for fresh
provisions in the southern portion of the Gulf. Major Trevor is of the same
opinion as myself and thinks that Captain Craufurd takes a very highly
coloured view both of this man’s desire to do harm and interfere with our
arrangements for the suppression of the Arms Traffic and also of his oppor
tunities of so doing.
15. At the present time Nassib has large financial interests at stake, and
ihould suspicion fall on him at any time, he would stand to lose a very good
sncome and one far greater than he could expect to make by participation in