File 619/1907 Pt 8 'Arms traffic:- Persian Gulf - Seizure of French dhows "Musafa" and "Fath-el-Khair".' [‎153v] (207/219)

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9MP
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My enquiries show that it is the fact that the “ Fath-el-Khair ” met with
several British ships-of-war, but that the latter did nothing to impede the
navigation of the former, having invariably complied with the International
Regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea. In regard to the frequent
meetings between British cruisers and the “ Fath-el-Khair”, I beg to observe
that the movements of the former at sea are not restricted, and cannot be con
fined to waters not visited by the latter. I may add that I find from my
enquiries that the discharge of the cargo of the “ Fath-el-Khair ” was never
interfered with at all by His Britannic Majesty’s ships, nor did any British
ship do anything to prevent the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. from obtaining provisions and water.
As regards the specific allegations made in the letter of the representative
of MM. Goguyer, I beg to inform you that no threat of any sort has been
made by any British cruiser against any town or village in Katar, and no
communication has passed between the Wali of Khasab and any British ships-
of-war for several months; I may add that H.B.M. Ship “ Alert ” has never
been within 100 miles of the island of Zirko.
In the circumstances and in view of the above facts I trust you will agree
that the representative of MM. Goguyer has been misinformed and that the
firm has no grounds of complaint against His Britannic Majesty’s ships.
1. Letter from the French Consul at Maskat
to 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. , Maskat, dated the 4th Feb
ruary 1911, with one enclosure.
2. Letter from 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. , Maskat, to
the French Consul, Maskat, No. 188, dated tha 5th
February 1911.
No. 189, dated Maskat, the 5th February 1911.
From —Major A. P. Trevok, 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 Britanonic 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.
In continuation of my letter No. 175, dated the 3rd February 1911, and of
the telegraphic correspondence ending with your telegram, dated 4th February,
I have the honour to forward, for your
information, copies of the marginally-
cited correspondence, which has passed
between the French Consul and myself
on the subject of the complaint of
MM. Goguyer regarding the proceedings
of His Majesty’s ships during the recent voyage of the firm’s dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. “Fath-el-
Khair ”,
2 . A copy of this correspondence has been sent to the Senior Naval
Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Consulat de France,
A Mascate.
Mascate, le 4 Fevrier 1911.
Monsieur et cher collogue.
En rdponse a votre lettre du 3 F^vrier No. 169, j’ai 1’honneur de vous
i piece jointe a dresser sous ce pli une nouvelle lettre
plainte contre les croiseurs de S. M. Britannique.
Les grants de cette maison vous seraient obliges de vouloir bien entendre
les details qu’eux-memes, le nakhcda et I’equipage du “ Fath el-Khair ” sont
en mesure de vous fournir et se tiennent a votre disposition pour le jour et
1 ’heure qui vous conviendront le mieux. Ils se disent prets a affirmer sous
serment la v6racit6 de leurs affirmations.
Veuillez agreer, Monsieur le Consul et cher collogue, 1’assurance de mes
sentiments de haute consideration.