File 2768/1913 'Arms traffic: Muscat warehouse; claims of British firms' [‎188r] (381/645)

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No. 984, dated Bushire, the oth (received 14th) April 1914 (Confidential).
From— Major S. G. Knox, C.I.E., Offg. 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreio- n and Political
Depaitmcnt.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter! No. 988 D.
t Seri&i No. 129 . ( i ated Ifcth February 1914., regarding the
disposal of the stocks of the British
firms engaged in the arms trade with Maskat.
2. The instructions contained in paragraph 2 of despatch:}: from His
* SerIal iXo 118 Majesty’s Secretary of State, No. 4
(Secret), dited 23rd January 1914, will bo
borne in mind and officers serving in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. havo been informed of
the existence of Messrs. Kynoeh’s stocks in England and requested to help
British firms when feasible.
3. In regard to the question whether it might he made a condition of
Ali Musa’s eventual return to Maskat that he should take delivery of the
consignment ordered by him from Messrs. Laubenburg, I have the honour to
state that the views of 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, were invited by me on
the point. He has embodied them in his letter No. 61, dated 20th* March
1914 (of which a copy is attached) to my address. I agree generally with
what 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, says on this subject, and would add that I
heard at Maskat shortly before my departure that Ali Khan had written to his
friends, possibly out of bravado, to say that he was entirely happy at Bombay
and bore no malice against anybody except Bis Highness who, he considered,
should have supported him more wholeheartedly. If that is his real attitude
of mind, it is doubtful whether pressure, if attempted, would be effective.
4. A further difficulty in the way of exerting pressure on either Ali
Musa or Jaffar would be that, apart from any question of oppression, our
action would certainly be misunderstood. It is believed by the people of the
country that, whatever our diplomatic attitude may be, the British authorities
would really be happiest if no arms or ammunition came into Oman at all.
I imagine that the popular view; as I have stated it, is not really very far
wrong. If now, we exert our influence to force these Arab merchants to
take over British stocks, the slander, sedulously circulated by our French
and German friends at Maskat, that the only object of the British is to get
the trade into their own hands will receive support and affect our reputation
injuriously.
No. 61, dated the 20th March 1914.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. E. Benn, C.I.E., 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,
To— Major S. G. Knox, C.I.E., 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your endorsement
No. 640, dated the 1st March 1914, with which you forwarded to me a copy
of letter* No. 988 D., dated the 19th
^ • Serial No. 129 . February, from the Deputy Secretary to the
Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department, with enclosures.
As regards the suggestion made in the last paragraph of the despatch! from
His Majesty’s Secretary of State for
+ Serial No. 118 . Indiaj No ^ date(1 2 3rd February 1914,
regarding which an expression of my views is asked for, I have tlie honour to
state that I am of opinion that it would be an oppressive measuie o ma 'e i
a condition of Ali Musa Khan’s eventual return to Maskat that he should tate
over the arms and ammunition ordered by him from Messrs. Lau en ur 0 .
In five years’ time, when the period of Ali Musa Khan s banishment wi
expire, the ammunition would probably be quite worthless, while the arms,
to the dampness of the Maskat climate, would, no doubt, have depre
ciated in value to an extent which might render them quite unsaleable.
As regards the disposal of Messrs. Laubenburg’s stocks, the sales are pro-
cceding steadily but well.