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File 868/1912 Pt 1 'Arms traffic: arrangements at Muscat for its regulation' [52v] (111/458)
The record is made up of 1 volume (225 folios). It was created in 1910-1912. It was written in English and French. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2 ,,-
hope that he would do so bearing In mind the interests of a friend, he answered that
he would consider those interests whilst bearing in mind the treaty rights of French
subjects.
I have, &c.
FRANCIS BERTIE^
Enclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum: communicated, to M. Poincare' by Sir F. Bertie.
HIS Majesty’s Government learn that official protest has been made to the
Sultan of Muscat by the French consul in regard to the new regulations issued by
his Highness for the control of the arms traffic. He has apparently notified to the
Sultan that those regulations will not receive the approval of the French Government
unless the Sultan be prepared to recognise the right to compensation of the French
merchants interested in the traffic Sir Francis Bertie has been instructed to explain
to M. Poincare without delay the attitude of His Majesty’s Government.
The question of this traffic is a matter of vital importance to the Indian Empire
as a civilising Power in Asia, and the continual introduction of arms into the regions
on the Indian frontier from Muscat is a cause of constant unrest and serious danger
to peace and good order. In Persia also the maintenance of order is rendered impossible
owing to the smuggling of arms into the country from Muscat, and, seeing that
French citizens are prepared to participate in the provision of capital for the Trans-
Persian Railway, the French Government are themselves interested in the maintenance
of order in the dominions of the Shah. An instance of this smuggling is given in a
recent report from His Majesty’s consul in Fars, which states that large consignments
of rifle ammunition lately arrived in Shiraz, bringing down the price of Mauser
cartridges in the open bazaar by more than 50 per cent., and that just as the tribesmen
were beginning to feel the want of ammunition.
His Majesty’s Government were not successful in their appeals to the French
Government before and at the time of the Brussels Conference for assistance in
putting an end to the traffic, and, therefore, in order to minimise its danger they had
no option but to engage in naval operations of a very costly character, entailing much
hardship on the officers and crews.
The object of these operations was to prevent arms, a considerable portion of
which would eventually find their way to tribes upon the Indian frontier, from being
smuggled into territories the rulers of which had forbidden the import of arms in the
ordinary course of trade, and had sought the assistance of His Majesty’s Government
in preventing it. The operations had had a good but not a conclusive result, and His
Majesty’s Government therefore welcomed the co-operation of the Sultan of Muscat
when he agreed to assist in the prevention of this illegal traffic by issuing the
regulations of which the French consul complains.
These regulations do not infringe in any way the treaty rights of any foreign
Power, as it is, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government, the incontestable right
of the Sultan, in virtue ot his sovereignty, to supervise the trade in weapons carried
on in his dominion, and to retain control over their distribution. This is likewise
incumbent on him in view of his relations with neighbouring States, where the
importation of arms is forbidden. It is therefore out of the question that his
Highness should be expected to compensate merchants who may consider that they
suffer inconvenience by the existence of any regulations at all, and His Majesty’s
Government have promised and are fully determined to support in refusing any such
compensation. They trust, however, that the claim advanced by the French consul
will not be countenanced by the French Government.
In 1907 the French Government, who were anxious to prevent the introduction
into Morocco of arms and ammunition which might be used by the natives to the
detriment of Trench interests, sought and obtained from His Majesty’s Government
the right of search of British vessels in Moroccan waters. On that occasion His
Majesty s Government, in their desire to do all in their power to aid F’rance in her
difficulties, at once acceded to the French request, although no obligation to do so
lay upon them, and they feel confident that the French Government will not refuse
to recognise their right to ask for the same friendly treatment in Muscat as they
accorded to France in Morocco.
Paris, August 22, 1912.
About this item
- Content
The volume contains telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed reports and a press cutting relating to the arms traffic in Muscat and arrangements for its regulation.
Issues discussed include:
- negotiations between the Foreign Office, 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. and the Sultan of Muscat for supervision of arms exports from Muscat by creation of a bonded warehouse;
- the Sultan of Muscat's proposed arrangements for regulating the sale of arms;
- the Foreign Office's approval of the Sultan of Muscat's draft notifications and conditions and a proposal on communicating these notifications to the Press;
- the 1844 Franco-Muscat Treaty and the 1862 Anglo-French declaration which guaranteed France's right to trade with Muscat;
- Anglo-French diplomacy on the matter involving the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- correspondence between the French Consul, Muscat and the Sultan of Muscat;
- Authorisation for British naval ships to board dhows flying the French flag if requested by the Sultan of Muscat;
- implementation of the new rules involving the removal of arms and ammunition to a warehouse;
- formal protests by French subjects against the regulations.
The file includes two press cuttings: from the Times (f 182) and a French newspaper (f 178).
The principal correspondents in the volume include: the 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. , Percy Zachariah Cox;the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; 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. at Muscat; the Viceroy; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey; the Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office; the Ambassador to France, Sir Francis Bertie; the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty; the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies.
The volume is part 1 of 7. The 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 (f 2).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (225 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 868 (Arms Traffic - Muscat) consists of 6 volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/235-240. The volumes are divided into 7 parts with parts 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 comprising one volume each and parts 4 and 5 comprising a volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first flyleaf with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 225; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 868/1912 Pt 1 'Arms traffic: arrangements at Muscat for its regulation' [52v] (111/458), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/235, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036161290.0x000070> [accessed 26 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/235
- Title
- File 868/1912 Pt 1 'Arms traffic: arrangements at Muscat for its regulation'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 1r:177v, 178v:181v, 182v:225v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence