"ملاحظات وزارة الخارجية. تجارة الأسلحة في الخليج الفارسي." [و‎‎٩] (٢٢/١٧)

u
The negotiations as to Gambia and the loges have fallen through. Papers should he
• Now in General Branch. submitted* separately to His Excellency,
t Draft despatch ia being prepared by Deputy Meanwhile circulate to Hon'ble Members and
Secretary (F.). startf on preparation of a despatch.
S. H. Butler, —29-7-09.
Circulated,—3 0-7 -09.
Kitchener], —31-7-09.
H. A[damson], —31-7-09.
• v ■ S. P. S[inha], —31-7-09.
Seen. I understand that it is not proposed to land troops on the Makran Coast.
J. O. M[iller], —31-7-09.
I am afraid it is a case of " shutting the stable door ” a bit late.
G. F. W[ilson],— 31-7-09.
Seen.
“W. L. H[arvey], —31-7-09.
Letter from H. Whitby Smith, Esq., Director, Persian Gulf Telegraphs, No. 431 P.,
DATED THE 19TH (RECEIVED 21st) JULY 1909.
Forwards a report hy Mr. New on the arms traffic in the Persian Gulf for the period from the
1st January to the 30th June 1909.
Telegram from His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, dated the 29th (received
30th) July 1909.
Enquires whether the Government of India have any proposals to offer in connection with the
suggestions of Major Cox and Admiral Slade regarding the suppression of the arms
traffic in the Persian Gulf.
Letter from Major P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf,
No. 1775, dated the 25th July (received 2nd August) 1909.
Communicates his views in regard to the proposal made by the Political Agent y 3Iaskat, to
subsidise the Sultan of Maskat in order to obtain his co-operation in stopping the
illicit traffic in arms.
I put up a draft despatch for approval. When approved, a telegram summarising the
despatch will be prepared in reply to the Secretary of State's telegram of 29th July.
L. W. Reynolds, — 5-8-09.
Please let me have clean proof of the draft and put up the letter referred to at the end.
S. H. Butler,— 7-8-09.
I have made a suggested addition as regards the establishment of a wireless station
at Jask. The position as regards the scheme for the erection of wireless stations for strate
gical purposes is, so far as I can make out, briefly that we recommended the establishment
of a station at Hen jam or Jask in connection with the general scheme and pressed for
its early erection. The Finance Department agree as to the desirability of the scheme,
but say that it cannot be carried out until funds permit. They further suggest that
We must therefore press for the Jask installation the internal scheme should take precedence of
apart from the general scheme into which it will subse- the external scheme, an opinion in which I be-
quentJy fit. lieve the Chief of the Staff concurs.
L. W. Bkynoi-ds.
I think there can be no question (unless there are technical reasons for preferring Henjam)
that Jask is the more suitable position. We already have a telegraph station and a guard there,
and it would not raise questions with Persia.
L. W. Reynolds,— 9-8-09.