'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part I' [‎14r] (27/54)

Enclosure 2 in No. 27.
Erom Lieutenant-Colonel M. J. Meade, Officiating 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. , to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign
Department.
No. 3 a.
I have the honour to forward, for
* Lettert from 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. to the Sultan of Maskat, dated
January 1898, with enclosures.
Letter from the Sultan to the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , with a Notifi
cation and Proclamation.
f This has not yet been received. Copies M-ill
follow.
Maskat vessels containing arms for
waters.
22nd January 1898.
the information of the Government of
India, copies of the documents noted
on the margin,* relating to an agreement
with the Sultan of Maskat, by which
he warns his subjects against the ex
portation of arms and ammunition from
Maskat to Persian and Indian ports,
and permits British and Persian ships
of war to seize British, Persian, and
[ndia and Persia in his own territorial
2. During the negotiations that resulted in His Highness consenting to
do this, he asked me whether he would be given the arms seized in his
waters, and said he was apprehensive that he would suffer in a pecuniary
way from the proposed arrangements. I impressed on him that his own
authority would certainly benefit if he could prevent the arming of the Arab
tribes in the interior, and that that alone was, in my opinion, a strong reason
in favour of his joining the British and Persian Governments in putting an
end to the traffic in arms. I added that I had received no instructions as to
the disposal of arms seized and could not guarantee His Highness against
loss. At the same time, however, in view of the advantages which would
result from the early conclusion of an agreement with the Sultan, I felt
justified in telling him that I was prepared to make recommendations on his
behalf, if he readily complied with the wishes of the British Government who
were, I knew, kindly disposed towards him and did not wish that he should
suffer in any way, but, on the contrary, that he should benefit by carrying
out their views.
3. I gathered that His Highness puts down his revenue from the duties
levied on the import and export of arms at #24,000 a year; but he did not
say exactly to what extent he thought his income would suffer from the
agreement he has now entered into, nor could I ascertain during my visit if
it will really entail any actual loss. 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. is making inquiries
on these points, and I will submit definite recommendations later on.
Enclosure 1 in above.
Translation of a Letter from His Highness the Sultan to 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. .
After compliments. Your esteemed letter of yesterday’s date has arrived,
together with the draft copy of the Notification ; we have accepted it and v e
shall publish it; a copy of it is (herewith) sent to you. As to the second
draft, we have already sent to you a letter containing our compliance with
what you desire in respect of preventing the sending of arms and ammunition
to the* two countries—India and Persia—as is plainly stated in the Notification.
We have complied with it most willingly, and we associate with the British
and Persian Governments in the arrangements that are made and that will
he hereafter made for the suppression of this trade in arms and ammunition.
With regard to what you have hinted to us, about representing this matter
to the great Government in the best way possible, so that we should be (not
only) guaranteed against any loss, but (also) derive benefit by what we are
doing to help the Government, we shall most gladly exert to the utmost in