‘Masqat Arms Traffic. 1908–1909.’ [‎5r] (14/128)

PREFACE.
In September, 1908, an attempt was made to compile, from such official
information as was available, a statement regarding the proportions assumed
during recent years by the Masqat arms traffic. This pamphlet brings the
statistics then given down to the latest available date. At the same time it may
be mentioned that separate confidential investigations which have been carried
out by the Intelligence Branch of this Division during the arms season of 1908-09
would seem to make it clear that more arms and ammunition than appear in
the returns officially supplied are actually imported into Masqat, and that, in con
sequence, the trade is of even more serious proportions than is shown in these
returns.
The situation was considered by the Government of India in the autumn of
last year. Proposals to check the traffic by means of a cordon of British
troops aligned across the direction taken by the arms caravans, i. e. along the
western portion of the Nushki-Robat route and so on into Persian territory,
were rejected as impracticable from the military and undesirable from the political
point of view. Similarly a suggestion to station British troops during the arms
season along the coast of Persian Makran was dismissed. The opinion was
expressed that perhaps the best hope of checking the trade was by means of
increased naval activity in the Gulf of Oman, a scheme which would have
involved a considerable increase in the number of ships on the station. This
was also rejected on financial and other grounds. It is this scheme, however,
which has again been put forward by the new Naval Commander-in-Chief after
a consideration of the position. A new feature in the traffic, however, has to be
taken into account in this connection. Confidential information recently obtained
seems to indicate that the gun running may in the near future be spread over the
whole year instead of taking place chiefly in the months January-April. The
matter is being further investigated, but it seems that at the present time
numerous small consignments of arms are constantly being sent across to the
Makran coast, where they are taken charge of by the Baluch sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. interested
in the traffic and stored in safe custody pending the arrival of the Afghan
caravans during the cold weather months. If this be so it is obvious that naval
precautions, to be efficient, would have to be carried out throughout the year.
It will be noted that the statistics given in the appendices are very incom
plete. For our main facts we must rely on the actual arrivals at Masqat, which
are summarised on pages 1 and 2. As regards the destination of arms subse
quently reported from Masqat the official information is frequently very vague,
e.g. y we are told that a boom, laden with arms and ammunition has left Masqat.
This may mean anything from a dozen to several hundreds of rifles, and similarly
with ammunition. It is hoped that in future improved arrangements may possibly
result in more accurate intelligence.
W. MALLESON, Colonel,
Division 0} the Chief of the Staff.
Simla ;
Jth July igog.