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'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part II' [‎42r] (29/52)

The record is made up of 1 file (26 folios). It was created in 26 Oct 1898. 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. .

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72
was attacked on the 2nd of December 1897 near Saihan Point,
the fatal use of firearms and our failure to secure satisfaction
for the piracies convinced Government that steps must be
taken to protect British commerce by dealing with this question.
There were precedents for such action, because in 1892 the Sultan of
Muscat had, in the interests of Germany, been induced to prohibit
the re-exportation of arms from Muscat for the coasts of Africa, and
in the previous year their exportation to Gwadar was also forbidden.
Now, British interests in the Gulf are hound up with peace,
because we have a network of Indian treaties with the tribes for
what is called “ the Maritime Truce.” Of recent years, at Koweit
and Bahrein, and at Zobara in the El Katr peninsula, there have
been grave disturbances requiring our intervention, and in each case
the position was aggravated by the arms traffic.
III. In Persia itself British interests had suffered from attacks upon the
telegraph system of the Indo-European Telegraph Company, which
the Persian Government and the local chiefs are bound to protect
under agreements with the Government of India. Several lawless
incidents culminated in the murder of Mr. Graves in December 1897,
and the increase of these attacks was attributed to the arming of the
robbers and tribes in southern Persia. Even at Bushire itself the
Besidency was not free from danger, while the roads into the interior
were often unsafe.
IV. Beyond the borders of Persia and in Baluchistan itself a survey party
was attacked on the 9th January 1898, and it became necessary to
land a force of sailors and British Indian troops in order to protect the
servants of the Indian Government.
V. It was also ascertained that arms were being imported into Afghanistan
through Bandar Ahhas, Charbar, and other ports opposite Muscat,
and it was alleged and feared that the tribes in revolt on the Indian
frontier were obtaining ammunition and arms from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
In support of this last assertion it was proved that Afghan emissaries
were awaiting the arrival of the “ Baluchistan ” at Muscat, and 20
packets of Martini-Henry ammunition, with paper showing that it
was made in Belgium, were found at Pasni in Mir Suka’s house in
Eebruary last. It is worthy of note that the Belgian manufacturers
of rifles obtained last year from the British Government contractors
the exact measurements of the British Martini-Henry rifle, so as to
ensure that the British ammunition would fit the rifles; obviously
those who ordered the rifles expected to get access to British car
tridges. Certain caravans have also lately started for the British
Indian frontier from the Baluchistan coast with cases supposed to
contain arms transported from Muscat, and steps have been taken to
follow them up. The only doubt which has been thrown on the
supply of these rifles and ammunition to the tribes arises from the
fact that amongst the arms surrendered by the tribes none corre
sponded to the arms known to have been sent to Muscat. But the
value of this evidence is discounted by the fact that the tribes have
surrendered only their worthless, stolen, or specially made-up arms,
and no rifles have been captured in the field, because rifles as well as
the bodies of the slain are removed by the tribesmen. Information
obtained in England shows that the importers in the Gulf ordered
arms on account of the tribes, and it is noteworthy that the Belgian
manufacturers took pains, after the outbreak of the disturbances in
1897, to erase all marks on the rifles and cartridge cases sent out by
them for the Gulf.
Methods of the Trade .—The methods of the trade lend weight to the
suspicion that the arms were known to be liable to seizure and were wanted
for no proper purpose. Secrecy has been the rule in the last two years.
Arms have been shipped or transhipped at the last moment in order to
take advantage of confusion or hurry. In some cases the intention to ship at
London has been altered in view of the vigilance of the Customs, and the
cases have been shipped at Manchester instead. Although the exporters
S. 13. G

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Content

This file contains a selection of correspondence and enclosures compiled by the 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. Political and Secret Department relating to arms traffic in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. from 1897-98.

Correspondents include: 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. and Consul at Maskat [Muscat], 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. , the Foreign Office, the Viceroy of India, the Board of Customs, the Consul-General for Fars, the Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran, the 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. , the Government of India, the Secretary of State for India, and various British merchant companies.

The following topics are discussed:

  • the seizure of arms on board SS Baluchistan ;
  • an assessment of the current situation regarding arms traffic and steps recently taken for its suppression;
  • British and Persian firms engaged in the arms trade;
  • the confiscation of arms at Bushire;
  • Persian prohibition, and British interests in coming to agreement with the Persian Government and assisting in enforcing Persian regulations;
  • methods of trade;
  • policy for the future;
  • the registration of arms and ammunition;
  • the case of Fracis Times & Co. v. The Sea Insurance Company (Limited)

It contains three letters in French.

Extent and format
1 file (26 folios)
Arrangement

This file consists of a single document with re-printed correspondence arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 28, and terminates at f 53, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part II' [‎42r] (29/52), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/C87/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036172705.0x00001e> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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