File 619/1907 Pt 5 'Arms Traffic:- Persian Gulf - Blockade (correspondence 1912-1920).' [‎134r] (272/608)

26
No. 1802, dated Bushire, the 13th (received 23rd) June 1914 (Confidential).
From— Majob S. G. Knox, C.I.E., Officiating 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. ;
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and
Political Department.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram* No. 358 S.,
• serial No. is. dated 9th June 1914, in which you were
so good as to favour me with the approval
of Government to the instructions given by me 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,
in the matter of the excess ammunition ordered by Hajji Najaf, Agent of
Shaikh Sir Mubarak-us-Subah, at Maskat.
In his reply to those instructions, 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. reports that Hajji
Najaf states that the excess cartridges number 379,440 rounds and that no
more have been ordered. Hajji Najaf has admitted 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. that
he was warned by me at Maskat that Government sanction was limited to
the 6,000 rifles and 400 rounds per rifle.
In my letterf No. 1734, dated 7th June 1914, to your address, I had the
t Serial No. 19 . honour to explain the nature of the
Arabic error that might be held to
justify the Shaikh’s assumption that the sanction of Government was not
limited to 24 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rounds. Put it is possible that you, sir, may recollect
sufficient of the matter in question which appears to have been discussed
verbally between yourself as Resident, the Shaikh of Kuwait and Captain
Shakespear, the then 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. , to be able to declare authoritatively
that there could have been no misunderstanding as to the quantity of the
ammunition the Shaikh was permitted to import.
In that case, ^ I may perhaps be authorised to reply to the Shaikh that
the sanction to import the extra six lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of ammunition was due to the
error of an Arab Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. and that it is difficult to see how the Shaikh could
have been misled by it, when the question was fully discussed between yourself
and him verbally and when Hajji Najaf, his Agent, has admitted that 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, myself, had given him full and explicit verbal
instructions that only 24 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rounds were covered by the Government
permit.
Still that, as a mistake has been made, and in order that the Shaikh may
not be put to loss, we are urging His Highness the Sultan of Maskat to grant
facilities for the amount of excess ammunition actually lying in the State
Warehouse but only on the clear understanding that no further indents can
be considered in the near future.
The other course, which Government may perhaps prefer, is to say nothing
about the mistake but to remind the Shaikh of Kuwait that Kesidency letter
No. 221, dated 15th October 1912, only permits the import of 30 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of
ammunition in all, of which only 220,560 rounds remain to be imported, after
the present 379,440 rounds have been despatched, that future imports must
be limited strictly to that amount and that no further indents can be considered
in the near future.
I have the honour to request that I may be fovoured with instructions
on the point, if possible by telegraph, as the Shaikh may make a grievance of
warehouse dues and demurrage charges which are mounting up.