File 869/1904 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa and Aden' [‎86v] (181/540)

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The young Italian of the party spent most of his small fortune in financ
ing his comrades. The rifles were confiscated by us, and later on the Trench
authorities at Djibouti asked for the return of the rifles in order to sell them
and pay the debts of the abortive expedition. This was refused.
2. Illicit traffic in arms.
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. , Aden, writes under date January 14th:—“I
returned to Aden last Monday, dropping General Swavne at Berbera, on my
way bach from Jibouti. An official report has been drafted concerning my
Visit there, and I hope that it will leave by this mail. Doctor Ormieres, the
Governor of Jibouti, was friendly, but rot communicative, and is evidently a
different stamp of man to M Pascale, who was Governor when Captain Hill
of the Perseus reported a desire to co operate. My report will at least inform
Government of the actual state of affairs, and for the rest I chink that every
thing must depend upon the result of negotiations at home.
“ Meanwhile, however, if Government will sanction the establishment of a
post on Ras-al-Arah, and perhaps also at Makatin and Balaliaf, and also the
necessary expenditure for a Preventive steamer and a few dhows, we can do a
good deal within the limits of our own territory, not only to check the illicit
arms traffic but to preserve better order generally on our littoral. With the
Padthli and Mokalla I think that special treaty arrangements are desirable for
the proper issue of regular port clearances, etc. And incidentally I would
mention that there is a good deal of opinion in favour of the establishment of a
Lighthouse at Ras-al-Arah, which w r ill in due course constitute another argu
ment in favour of the establishment of a post at that particular spot. Imran
we may be able to watch with our dhows, but for the present it would be
desirable to establish a post of our own there too at an early dato, in place of
that which the Abdali Sultan at present maintains, more with the view of
evading the rules to his own benefit than observing them for ours.
No. 325, dated Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the 17th January 1906. (Confidential.)
Front— Major-General H, M. Mason, 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. at Aden,
To—His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for India.
With reference to your telegram, dated the 20th ultimo, I have the
honour to submit herewith copy of a report No. 265, dated 14th instant, which
I sent by last mail to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , together with its accom
paniments, on the subject of my recent visit to Jibouti, in company with
General E. J. E. Swayne, and of the illicit traffic in arms generally.
2. I have addressed several other communications on the same subject to
the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , since my letter No. 187, dated 9th October 1904,
concerning which you will doubtless be addressed in due course through the
usual official channels. But meanwhile I have the honour to enclose copy
of a letter No. 6630, dated the l9th October 1905, which deals at more length
with the subject than most of the other reports.
3. The reports above referred to may be considered sufficient to show that
considerable traffic in arms does stilli take place from Drench territory with
dangerous effects to this Protectorate, as well as to British Somaliland, but the;
following further details may also prove of interest to the Foreign Office.
4. On the 26th of January 1905, Captain A. R. Hulbert, Commanding
H. M. S. Proserpine, paid a visit to the port of Imran, over which the Abdali
Sultan is under present arrangements charged with; the control. There he
found that there were a large number of rifles in the village, of which the
greater number were French and marked “ Chateau Renault.” He saw and
handled several himself, and was informed by the inhabitants that there were
then about 90 rifles in the village. As a result of his visit he expressed the
opinion that Imran was an important depot for traffic in arms, and I have no
reason, to doubt that arms from Jibouti have been frequently landed there.
This visit was reported to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. in February 1905, when
it was pointed out that there was reason to believe that the Abdali Sultan was
personally interested in the arms traffic, and derived profit therefrom.