'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part I' [‎7r] (13/54)

British subjects and dependants, they shall receive the treatment and
consideration of the subjects and dependants of the most favoured people.”
There appears to be no record of any treaties between Bahrein and other
countries than Great Britain.
On the 22 nd December 1880 an agreement was signed between the Chief
of Bahrein and 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. , which is stated to
hare been ratified by Her Majesty’s Government in 1881. In it the Chief
bound himself and his successors to abstain from entering into negotiations
or making treaties of any sort with any State or Government other than the
British without the consent of the said British Government, and to refuse
permission to any other Government than the British Government to establish
diplomatic or consular agencies, or coaling depots in his territory unless with
the consent of the British Government (“ Aitchison’s Treaties,” Yol. 10 (1892),
page 120 ).
This engagement did not apply or affect the customary friendly corre
spondence with the local authorities of neighbouring States on business of
minor importance.
On the 13th March 1892 a treaty was signed between the Chief of Bahrein
and 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. , which contained the following engagement on the
part of the Chief :—
“Isi. That I will on no account enter into any agreement or correspon
dence with any Power other than the British Government.
“ 2 nd. That, without the assent of the British Government, I will not
consent to the residence within my territory of the Agent of any
other Government.
“ 3rd. That I will on no account cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise
give for occupation any part of my territory save to the British
Government.”
This Treaty was ratified by the Governor General of India on the 12 th May
1892. (“ Hertslet’s Treaties,” Yol. 19, p. 773.)
It would seem, from the wording in the Convention of 1861, lawful
trade,” as well as from the peculiar relations between this country and
Bahrein, that if the Chief, on the advice of the British Government, made
the export of arms from his territories illegal, the terms of the Article of the
Convention would not thereby be contravened.
Foreign Office, (Signed) A. H. Oakes.
3rd December 1897.
No. 3.
From Secretary of State to Yiceroy, 17th December 1897.
(Telegraphic.)
Your letter, No. 116, of 4th August. Enhancement of import duty at
Muscat seems impracticable, since France objects to modify treaty of
1844. Treaty obligations seem also to preclude notification by Sultan
generally restricting either importation or export of arms and ammu
nition. Only practicable course appears to be issue by Sultan at request
of India and Persia of strong warning to residents in Muscat that
importations of arms and ammunition into Persia or India are prohibited.
Persia is being asked to make representation to Muscat, and to agree to
action by British ships of war in Persian waters for preventing such traffic
by subjects of Great Britain, Persia and Muscat. Muscat can then be
asked by your Government to agree to similar action in Muscat waters,
and I will telegraph terms of proposed request. If these agreements are
arrived at, and suitable measures taken to enforce seizure of illicit
exports, the trade might be stopped by heavy losses. I could arrange to
send to Muscat if you wish intimation of ships carrying arms. The
“ Baluchistan ” left Manchester 10 th December with large consignment,
and other ships are following. It is therefore desirable to make all pre
liminary arrangements for conveying the request to Muscat and ensuring
co-operation of ships of war before the cargo of the ship “ Baluchistan ”