File 619/1907 Pt 3 'Arms Traffic:- Koweit Trade.' [‎229r] (462/720)

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No. 59, dated Maskat, the 16th (received 25th) January 1910 (ConRdential).
From — R. E. Holland, Esq., 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. and His Britannic Majesty's Consul,
Maskat,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In accordance with the instructions which I have received from the
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , I have the honour to submit herewith,
for vour information, a cony of letter No. 58, dated the 16th January 1910,
which I have addressed to the Resident on the subject of the illicit arms traffic.
No. 5S, dated Maskat, the 16th January 1910.
Frem— R. E. Holland, Esq., 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. and His Britannic Majesty’s Consul,
Maskat,
To— The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
1 have the honour to refer to your telegram No. 35, dated the 12th
January 1910, on the subject of the illicit arms traffic.
2 I enclose herewith copies of the lists of captured arms and ammunition
which have been furnished to me by the officers commanding His Majesty’s
ships. I have added against each item the approximate market rate at the
date "of enquiry. The iirst statement showing arms and ammunition captured
in the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. “ Badil” in Lima Bay was supplied to me by Captain Hunt after
the date of my letter No. 1255, dated 23rd November 1909, audit should be
substituted for the list which formed an enclosure to that letter.
With a view to facilitate identification and valuation of rifles captured,
T am ask in I. * * * * * 0, the Senior Naval Officer kindly to send me in future, for examin
ation and return, one sample of every kind of rifle found in each consignment
captured.
3 On receipt of Foreign Department telegram* No. S.—5, dated 1th
* r January 1910, I enquired from the Senior
* Serial No. 209 Parti. Naval Officer whether any expanding
or exnlosivc bullets had been found in this season’s captures. In reply.
Captain Hunt, K.N., informed me that about 3,500 rounds furnished with
expandin'' bullets had so far been found. In the cargo captured by H. M. S.
La owin'' ” on 4th December about 3,000 rounds of Mannheber ammunition
contained soft-uosed bullets and out of the ammunition found by H. M. S
“Perseus” on 1st January near Pishukan 500 rounds of -303 contained
expanding bullets.
4 It is impossible to say with accuracy from what specific source in
Europe the captured rifles came because the Maskat merchants buy from one
another and the supplies from Europe are often ordered through agents such
“Messk Carling, Times, Dharwar, &c., who purchase from manufacturers
the catalogues of Messrs. Albrecht Kind of
I. have , been p G f {i v rTnschow of Hamburg, and Clabrough and Johnstone
Diennghausen, Gustav X“lt kind sells all kinds of Mausers
of Birmingbam, an bines - Gustav Gensehow sells Gras, Chassepot,
and Mannhcher rl ^ “4 ^ ar Mannlicher, Berdan, and other kinds
Wcrndi, Henry^M^^^ ^ Martini . Henl . yj Martini . M etford
IdEnfield^ifles Doubtless there are many other European firms who stock
the s^memakes I append a note on the subject of expanding bullet,
6 Government desire to know whether the import of arms at Maskat i
5. government expanding or contracting. The total
See Administration Report for 1908. number of cases of arms and ammunition
. ^ W Anril and 31st December 1908 was 7,110, out of which
imported betwee P c cases con tained revolvers and 5,313 contained
1,782 cases oonteine fl , Jan and 31sti December 1909 only 6,709 cases
“mporied outof which 1,476 contained rifles, 27 contained revolvers
and 5,206 contained ammunition.
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