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File 2869/1906 Pt 2 'Arms traffic: Mekran Coast and Baluchistan. Correspondence (1908-9)' [‎55r] (118/554)

The record is made up of 1 volume (286 folios). It was created in 1908-1909. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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*
i It is not necessary to rewrite the poliiical aspects, and the past history
of the Arms Trade in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . This has been fully and completely
discussed by Mr. Lorimer in his memorandum on “ The Arms and Ammunition
Traffic in the Gulfs of Persia and Oman ”, The various Appendices herein,
however, deal with the history of the trade in detail during the past three years.
2 . The trade during the last few years has increased enormously, having
nearly* quadrupled itself. The Consular Trade Report for Masqat for 1905-06
gives the total value of the arms trade as Rs. 1 , 074,380 and that of 1907-08 as
Rs. 4 , 185,390 (vide Appendix IV).
3 . The fact is also apparent that the coming of the Hamburg American
steamers to the Gulf has given an immense impetus to this trade on the Conti
nent, and that a large proportion of the trade is falling into the hands of
non-English manufacturers. (For details vide Appendix V.)
4 . During the last two years attempts have been made to stop the import of
arms into Persia, but with comparatively small results. A couple of dhows were
captured by the Navy, and one or two small shiploads thrown overboard by
dhows when chased in 1908 , but in March 1909 two dhows with 1,550 rifles and
170000 rounds on board were seized on the high seas. What little success there
has’ been is due to the efforts of Mr. New of the Indo-European Telegraph
Department, who has instituted a system of guards along the Makran coast to
watch the gun-runners. A short resume of the scheme wdl be found in
Appendix I.
5 . The Persians were also induced to make an attempt to stop the caravans
between the coast and the Afghan Border, but the results effected were ml. _ A
history of the action taken will be found in Appendix III. Appendix II contains
all particulars available regarding the caravans, and the routes followed by them.
6 The double company at Robat was in 1908 increased by_ 500 men whilst
the caravans were on the move, and the Jashk detachment was reinforced by 200
men owing to rumours that the gun-runners intended to avenge themselves on
the posts for injuries and losses sustained at the hands of the - avy urmg a
year and at the hands of the Robat detachment during the previous one the
garrisons at Robat and Jashk remained at 200 and too men respectively during
the 1908-09 season.
7 . To sum up : the traffic has increased to an enormous extent during the past
three years, and all steps taken materially to interfere with it ave prove in^ ec
tual. The Navy appear to admit that they are practically powedess t^o accomplish
much with the means at their disposal, the Persians have ^ r °yu- ^ infprfpro
helpless, the detachment at Robat has shown that it can do nothing to intertere
with the progress of the caravans, whilst the proceedings at the Brussels Arm
Conference have not as yet afforded any hope of a satisfactory se emen
8 . From the accompanying appendices the following figures have been
arrived at.
1906 .

Rifles.
Percentage
(of imports).
Ammunition.
Percentage.
fTotal imports into Masqat
40,000
•••
9,300,000
...
’Exported to Makran coast
...
...
3 .I 7 S
8
Nil
...
Exported to other places

...
14,700
37
3,210,000
35
Unaccounted for
• •1
...
22,125
55
6,090,000
65
■f # See note at foot of next pa^e,

About this item

Content

The correspondence discusses the arms traffic on the Mekran coast and Baluchistan.

The volume includes reports on the importation of arms from Muscat and measures taken by the British to curtail the trade. The reports were authored by the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

Extent and format
1 volume (286 folios)
Arrangement

The subject 2869 (Arms traffic: Mekran Coast and Baluchistan) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/101-2. The volumes are divided into two parts with each part comprising one volume.

The explanation of the cover sheet/divider at the front of each volume (regarding the correspondence series numbers which have been put together to form the volumes) will be given in the scope and content.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 271; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 69-80 and between ff 221-238; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves.

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English in Latin script
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File 2869/1906 Pt 2 'Arms traffic: Mekran Coast and Baluchistan. Correspondence (1908-9)' [‎55r] (118/554), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/102, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100028711112.0x000077> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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