'File No. II/9 Foreign Dept Memoranda of Information re. affairs in Persian Gulf, Maskat & Arabian Shore of the Persian Gulf. Nov '07 - Dec '08.' [‎24v] (50/132)

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presumably, in view of the Sultan’s nominal
independence, some form of representation
would be necessary. The Omani delegate
could hardly appear alone, as he would speedily
fall under the tutelage of some foreign Power.
The Goyernment of India recommended
that Sultan should, if possible, be represented
by a British officer, or, failing this, by British
and French officers jointly.
(b) The International bureau would pre
sumably be constituted on the lines of the inter-
mtional office for slave trade, described in
Articles XXVII and LXXIV—LXXX of the
General Act. The danger of foreign inter
ference might be reduced if international
control meant nothing more than the establish
ment of such an office for registering inform
ation at Jibuti.
It would be desirable, however, that the
establishment of an auxiliary office on the
analogy of that mentioned in Article LXXIX
should not be permitted at Maskat.
(c) Scope for foreign interference
might be provided by the framing of any
articles similar to Articles XLII to XLI re
garding the detention of suspected vessels and
examination and trial of vessels seized. It
was considered that His Majesty’s Govern
ment would doubtless not agree to any article
which might facilitate German Consular or
other action at Maskat or interference by
foreign ships of war with native craft in the
Gulf of Oman.
(d) The important point, as regards the
actual control of traffic at Maskat, was to get
the Sultan to agree to prohibit the importation
of arms and ammunition. His consent could
be obtained when the international Agreement
proposed was concluded, but the abolition of
traffic would involve a heavy loss to him of
income from Customs duties and unless he were
indemnified for this he might be expected
passively to obstruct measures for the preven
tion of arms traffic. The Government of India
recommended that arrangements for compensa
tion should be entrusted to them, as they, with
Turkey and Persia, were the main if not only
sufferers from Maskat trade. Payments of a sub
sidy by the Powers jointly would be a calamity
and a serious disturbance of the status qno
would inevit'tbly follow. Perhaps the Sultan
might be induced to appoint a British officer as
Superintendent of his Customs in order to
ensure the effective prohibition of import by
thorough Customs examination. It was
estimated by 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. , Maskat, that
fair indemnity for the Sultan’s loss of income
would be £12,000 per annum. Major .Cox
thought it might be less.
(e) If the Sultan agreed to prohibit arms
traffic and his Customs administration were
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