Page 141 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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Chabhar, in order to collect information about,
tbo movements of Afghans, expected consign­
ments of arms, &c., which they will communicate
without delay to British ships engaged in the
suppression of the trade.
How fur theso measures will bo successful
romains to ho seen. For the present tho situation
may bo summarized in the words used by the
Government of Government of India in tlieir despatch of the
February 21* 1907. 21st February, 1307. “ We regard it us certain,”
they wrote, “ that effective action for the suppres­
sion of the arms trade cannot be taken by tho
Persian authorities. On the coast, the Belgian
Customs officials arc few in number, and although,
perhaps, willing to give assistance for the
suppression of tbo traffic, they have not the
means at their disposal really to take efficient
measures to deal with the evil. Inland, as is
well known, tho Persian authorities are powerless
outside the towns, and large caravans can travel
uy unfrequented routes without the slightest risk
of interference.”

II.—Quarantine.

(Communicated by the Tndia Office.)
A.

“Tho sanitary defence of tho Persian Gulf/*
wrote Dr. Theodore Thomson in his Report of tho
12th July, 19U6, “has in the past received, and
still continues to receive, considerable attention,
not only in the interests of countries adjacent
thereto, hut also because it is maintained by
some authorities that cholera and plague are
particularly likely to invade these regions’ by
reason of their nearness to, and frequont commu­
nication with, India, and thence to extend over­
land to Europe. This viow was voiced by
M. Bnrrdre, one of tho French Delegates at the
International Sanitary Conference of 1897, when
he classified the Persian Gulf, along with the
Red Sea, as tho ' routes naturelles dee maladies
pestilcntielles.' In relation with this aspect of
the matter the question of what measures should
be adopted with a viow to guarding against the
suggested danger to Europe was discussed at the
International Sanitary Conferences of 1894,1897,
[363] E