'The Trade in Arms with the Persian Gulf' [‎55r] (3/4)

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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.
IY. 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.
Y. It was also ascertained that arms were being imported into Afghanistan
through Bandar Abbas, 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 liave
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 w r ere 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 r of the vigilance of the Customs, and the
cases have been shipped at Manchester instead. Although the exporters
have in many instances received full payment before shipment, the bills of
lading have even in those cases shown no names of consignees. Clearly in
such "cases the names w'ere omitted by design, as the Bills did not pass
through a Bank, and there was no need to adopt the vague generality
«to order.” In a recent case a false name .of consignee, namely, Gopalji
Walji, was entered as the consignee, and repudiated by the said Gopalji on
arrival. Even the name of the exporter has been changed at the last
moment in order to divert attention, as where Spencer was put in place of
Carling & Co. The arms have been entered on bills of lading as “ hard
ware,” and when on one occasion a true copy of the bill of lading A document confirming the goods which a ship has received. was called
for, the shippers inserted “merchandise” for “hardware” which would
have been a less inaccurate description, and when ^ the bill was challenged
they w T rote that it w r as made out “ from memory.” The cases themselves
bear marks only and no address. Even these marks and the destination
are altered on board, either at Port Said or at sea. The shippers undertake