File 2869/1906 Pt 2 'Arms traffic: Mekran Coast and Baluchistan. Correspondence (1908-9)' [‎10r] (28/554)

TN compiling last year such official information as was available regarding
the Masqat Arms Traffic it was impossible not to be struck by the numerous
lacmce in our knowledge of that trade. An attempt has accordingly been made,
by means of special agents of the Intelligence Branch, to throw some light on the
many obscure points regarding which further information was most desirable.
The reports which follow give the results of our investigations down to the
present time. It is not claimed that they in any way exhaust the subject. On
the contrary, our enquiries are still proceeding, and we are endeavouring to trace
a few typical consignments of arms right through from the merchants of Masqat
to their ultimate destination—the hands of the frontier Pathan. But there will
probably be found in the reports now printed much information of value.
Attention may be invited to the original letters and quotations on pages 35 to 39,
which show at what marvellously cheap prices perfectly efficient rifles can be
shipped at European ports. The enormous profits which are made at every
stage ; the manner in which practically all Masqat, from the Sultan down to the
meanest of his subjects, has a direct interest in the trade ; the swindling of the
Sultan by his own officials ; the falsification of returns whereby we must be left
more than ever in doubt regarding the real percentage of the traffic which finds its
way to the neighbourhood of our frontier; the methods adopted by the Afghan
and Pathan dealers in purchasing and shipping their arms ; and the facility with
which, apparently, arms can be smuggled into India itself—all these points will
be found in the reports which follow. In connection with these enquiries I paid
a brief visit to Masqat in March last, and was enabled to visit the sample rooms of
several of the rifle merchants and, accompanied by the owner, the outside of
M. Goguyer’s large warehouse, which certainly looked as if it contained the
100,000 arms which some of our informants speak of.
A further selection of these reports will be printed in due course. Meanwhile,
as our agents run very serious risks in carrying out their investigations, it is
particularly requested that this pamphlet be kept under lock and key, that it never \
goes out of an officer’s hands, and that it be not quoted or alluded to in any way
except in secret papers.
W- MALLESON, Colonel,
Assistant QuafteT Master General for Intelligence,