File 619/1907 Pt 5 'Arms Traffic:- Persian Gulf - Blockade (correspondence 1912-1920).' [‎111v] (227/608)

orders have been given to fit the reniaining two. My Lords expect
therefore, that the Secretary of State will see his way to proceed with the
establishment of the wireless stations at Jask as early as possible, and
that the suggestions for the increase of the military guard there and the
appointment of a special intelligence officer will be carried out
concurrently with the establishment of the naval blockade.
8. My Lords presume that not only must the blockade, in order to be
effective, include the Biyaban as well as the Mekran coast, but that when
these coasts are effectively blockaded it is not improbable that the arms-
running vessels would also attempt to run their cargoes on the coast of
Baluchistan to the eastward of Gwatar. It would not be possible
without altogether extravagant preparations to extend the already con
siderable scope of the naval operations, and My Lords would therefore
suggest that the Indian Government should consider the desirability of
establishing, concurrently with the enforcement of the naval blockade, a
military coast patrol from the Persian frontier as far to the eastward as
may be necessary. An organisation somewhat on the lines of the
Egyptian Coast Guard would appear to meet the case.
9. As regards expense, the Indian Government should, it is proposed,
be directly responsible for the whole cost connected with the torpedo
boats and the depot ship and the steam launches. Maxims and three-
pounder guns would be provided by the Admiralty.
10. It is impracticable to estimate approximately the total additional
cost of the naval operations, but it will be recognised that the proposed
action, if continued throughout the whole year (omitting perhaps the
period of the south-west monsoons should the state of the traffic admit
of it) must entail a very considerable additional charge upon Naval
\ otes. It involves particularly the commissioning of two ships,
His Majesty’s ships “ Alert ” and “ Odin,” which have been kept in
reserve since 1904, and the upkeep of these vessels during their special
service in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In addition the East Indies Squadron has
been comparatively recently reinforced by^fcl.fl.S. “ Philomel,” owing
mainly to the demands for the constant presence of His Majesty’s ships
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Moreover a considerable expenditure in coal,
special fittings for ships working in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , &c., will have to
be incurred before the two extra ships arrive on the station.
11- A rough calculation has, however, been made, on the basis of the
subsidised ships, in respect of the three additional ships “ Philomel,”
‘ Odin,” and “Alert,” and it is estimated that, excluding the expense
previously referred to, the extra cost for the year would amount to
84,000L My Lords do not admit the contention of the Government of
India that this charge should, in accordance with the report of the Royal
Commission on Indian Expenditure, be borne by Imperial Funds, as in
their opinion it is very largely, if not entirely, a matter concerning
the administration of the Government of India, and they propose,
accordingly, to make a claim for the repayment of the same from Indian
Funds.
A copy of this letter has been sent to the Foreign Office.
The Under Secretary of State
for India.
I am, &c.,
W. Graham
Greene..