File 869/1904 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa and Aden' [‎85r] (178/540)

11
stationed at Aden as tenders, and reliefs could thus he conveniently arranged
for the crews.
26. I would venture to add that, should the men-of-war now employed
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. be replaced by vessels and arrangements of this nature made,
a saving would probably be effected in the naval charges debited to the
Government of India which would probably cover all initial expenditure upon
the charge.
27. In addition to the above I would recommend that, at certain ports
along the coast, detachments of a local levy corps should be established to
watch the coasts and the main routes leading thereto. This is a measure which
Government may still consider it desirable to postpone, but I would recom
mend its early reconsideration. At present there is little doubt that the
control exercised by the Abdali Sultan over the ports of Imran and Khor
Umera and Ras-al-Arab is not productive of the desired result, and probably
actively to the contrary.
28. I find that this letter has exceeded the length to which I hoped to limit
it, and I will, therefore, make my further remarks concerning the proposed
amendments to the Aden Sea Traffic in Arms Regulation the subject of
another communication, and, as before stated, I thereafter hope to submit a
further report upon the state of affairs at Jibouti.
29. As to that I would, for the present, merely state that I have good
reason to believe there is an active trade in arms still proceeding between
Tajurrah Bay and the coasts of Arabia. A certain M. Grandjean of “ Obokh”
is reported to be the prime mover of the enterprise, and, I am informed, includes
a certain amount of quiet slave-running with his arms ventures.
Extract from a letter, dated the 31st August 1905, from Captain J. B. EUSTACE, Senior
Naval Officer, Aden.
M. Grandjean, the Government Agent in charge at Obokh, is very nearly
a native, having married a Danakil woman ; whilst he wears an Arab dress, and
lives in native style. He is reputed to possess seven other native wives, the
majority of whom are Abyssinians and represent the toll paid by caravans for
permission to traverse French territory. He owns six armed Native dhows
(French colours) that act as escorts to Native vessels.
Although no arms can officially leave Jibouti, there is never any difficulty
in obtaining a clearance from Obokh by vessels engaged in this traffic.
M. Grandjean is an excellent linguist, whilst his knowledge of Native
customs is unique: and he is doubtless of the very greatest service to his
Government in the position he now holds, despite his sympathies for slaving
and gun-running.
Canoes leave Obokh frequently for Kadduha, to southward of Mocha 9
with from 80—100 rifles in each.
*****
Dated Perim, the 21st September 1905.
Prom—R. P. Schneidek, Esq., Assistant Resident, Perim,
To—The First Assistant Resident, Aden.
With reference to your No. 5366 of the 3rd September 1905, I have the
honour to report that, after full enquiry, I find that the information given you
by the Senior Naval Officer, Aden Division, is materially correct with the
exception of a few details that do not affect the case, such as the number of
women in M. Grandjean’s establishment, etc.
M. Grandjean is by no means nearly a native. He is a highly polished
French gentleman, and only assumes native garb when in company with his
native establishment, and outside, when he goes out into the country, ostensibly
for the purpose of shooting: but rumour has it he is not only interested in the
Slave Trade but in the Arms Trade as well. The latter is well kuown to all