'P.2. 733/1904. Muscat Arbitration. (1906-09).' [‎140r] (286/680)

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ARABIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[ A ]
[August 22.]
Sectio* 1.
28595]
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to M. Geofray.
^ T TTAVT +u 1 j i i-t . Foreign Office, August 22, 1906.
1 tlAVlij the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the note which M. Gambon was
good enough to address to me on the Slst ultimo on the subject of the Arbitral Award
pronounced last year at The Hague in regard to the dhows flying the French flag at
T tjl LI S C cL L 1 «
I regret that the French Government should consider that undue delay has taken
place in arriving at an agreement as to the steps to be taken for carry in <y out the
decision of the Tribunal. °
His Majesty s Government entirely share the view of the French Government
that this mattei should be arranged as speedily as possible, and it has been their desire
throughout to treat the subject in the most friendly spirit.
The discussions which have taken place between the French Consul at Muscat and
his British colleague have, however, unfortunately shown that considerable divergence
of opinion exists between these two officers, and His Majesty’s Government have been
obliged to carefully examine the question in consultation with the Government of India
and to give full consideration to their views.
In these circumstances it was inevitable that some time should elapse before His
Majesty s Government were in a position to pronounce a definite decision.
I have now the honour to inclose a Memorandum dealing with the points of
difference which have arisen, and proposing a settlement which I trust the French
Government will accept as a friendly and conciliatory solution of the question.
(Signed) 13 ™’ & EDWARD GREY.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum.
WITH reference to the communication made by the French Ambassador on the
22nd June last, His Majesty’s Government have had under their consideration the
reports from His Majesty’s Consul at Muscat of his negotiations with his French
colleague in regard to the application of the Muscat dhows Arbitration Award of
August last.
It would appear that Major Grey and M. Laronce have agreed that the result of
the Arbitration should be notified by the Sultan to his subjects by means of a
Proclamation to be issued by His Highness, but that they are unable to come to an
agreement as to the list of persons who are to be entitled to fly the French flag
according to the terms of the Award.
The following ct projet de Reglement ” for the settlement of these questions was
communicated by M. Laronce to Major Grey on the 20th April last:—
“ Article l er . Les sujets du Sultan qui sont autorises a 1’avenir a arborer le pavilion
Francais sur leurs navires jouissent dans I’Oman du meme traitement et des memes
droits que tous les autres sujets de Sa Hautesse.
“ Art. 2. En principe, les personnes autorisees a arborer le pavilion Franyais sur
leurs navires sont celles dont la liste a ete dressee par le Consulat de France a Mascate,
et remise au Oonsulat d’Angleterre le 4 Mars, 1906, k moins de modifications pouvant
resulter du deces de ces personnes on du retrait par la France de I’autorisation.
“Art. 3. Les proprietaires de boutres battant pavilion Frangais pourront en toute
liberte vendre leurs navires, ou en acheter d’autres sans que leur droit au pavilion
Frangais puisse etre conteste.
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