'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part I' [‎8v] (16/54)

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10
Political
No. 2440/97.
is -understood that these hills represent the contents of cases of guns and
cartridges as “ hardware ” and “ merchandise.”
3. The punctual despatch to this Office of the returns mentioned will
enable the Secretary of State for India to keep the local authorities in the
Gulf acquainted with the shipments of arms before the ships arrive. By this
means supervision over their ultimate destination will be facilitated. But
it is also desirable to discourage this particular traffic by enforcing such
scrutiny and inspection of some of the cases and other means of verification
as the law and regulations may permit. In this connection, I am to state
that Lord George Hamilton is informed, with reference to a statement of
arms of British and Irish manufacture which was lately submitted to him,
that some of the cartridges and rifles so returned were made in Belgium
and sent from Antwerp to Manchester, where they were put on board a
ship sailing for the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . It is therefore suggested for your con
sideration whether instructions might not he given to the Customs officers
at Manchester/ and other ports whence these arms are sent, to examine more
frequently the contents of the cases, and to enforce legal penalties for false
returns.
4. I am to add that the ships which are understood to be chiefly engaged
in the trade are those owned by the Anglo-Algerian Steamship Company and
the Anglo-Arabian Persian Company, and in particular the steamships
“ Turkestan,” “ Arabistan,” “ Biluchistan,” “ Tresco,” and “Alphonse ” have
been employed in the traffic. It is believed that the “ Tripoli ” will be
despatched by Messrs. Bucknall Brothers from Manchester on the 1st of
January next with a cargo of arms and ammunition for the Gulf, and I am
to request that, if possible, the measures suggested in this letter may be
applied to it. Should the Secretary of State for India be made aware of
the intention to send similar cargoes by any other ships, an intimation of the
fact will be made to you, in order to facilitate the execution of the instructions
which may be issued by the Customs House on the subject.
The Secretary, Customs.
I have, &c.,
A. Godley.
{For reply to above, see letter from Customs, l^tli December 1897,
Political No. 2450/97.)
No. 9.
Enclosure in Eoreign Office Letter of 21st December 1897.
Eoreign Office to Mr. Hardinge, Tehran, dated 21st December 1897.
(Telegraphic.)
No. 42. My previous telegrams respecting traffic in arms. There are
several points on which we shall be glad to have information:—
1 . Have Persian Government any Agent at Muscat through whom joint
communication can be made, or should British Besident make communication
on behalf of both Governments ?
2. How will any questions arising as to confiscation of goods seized in
Persian "Waters he adjudicated where British subjects are concerned ?
3. How would proceeds of confiscated goods be distributed when goods
have been seized by British cruisers ?
4. What course do you propose to take for admission of cartridges, &c.,
required by British officers and Persian nobles for sporting purposes ?
5. In case British owners of these cargoes M arms endeavour to transfer
them to subjects of other Powers, do you think Persian Government would
be ready to maintain the seizure and confiscation?