'تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للسنوات ١-١٩١٤" [ظ‎‎٢‎٠‎٦] (٤٨٨/٤١٧)

4
persian gtulf administeation eepoet
Although the trade in munitions had decreased on the outbreak of the
European War to an almost negligible quantity in Mekran, there was still
considerable activity in the northern arena. This activity, however, practically
ceased with the cessation of Grerman shipping. The logical conclusion, therefore,
is that the Arms Traffic in the northern part of the Gulf has, to a large extent,
been recently kept alive by the Germans. Whether their motives were purely
commercial or ulterior we may never know, evidence points to the latter.
Since the arrival of the Indian Expeditionary Force at Bahrain and the
capture of Basra, by the British, the Arms Traffic in the northern part of the
Gulf has also assumed a practically negligible quantity.
There is reason to suppose that there is a certain quantity of munitions
remaining in Katr, which in ail probability will be absorbed by the Arab
tribes in the vicinity. Still a few may find their way over to the Mekran
Coast. The stocks of arms on the Batineh Coast are finished and the only
likely prospects of replenishment in the future are in the event of peace being
declared with the Imam in Oman, when undoubtedly his followers and those
of the Sultan of Maskat will be only too ready to dispose of their arms to the
first buyer. The same applies to the armed tribes in the northern part of the
Gulf and on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates, unless effective measures
are taken to control the disposition of arms.
E, C. WITHERS, Lieutenant, E.I.M,
Intelligence Officer, JPenian Gulf.
Bushire,
The BOth May 1915.