Page 64 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

54 Records oj Bahrain

imported, and that ho had received information regarding a con-
signmerit* brought iu by a Parsco
• See Enclosure to Foreign Ofllco Letter, Messrs Praris Timoq
eluted 22ml April 1890. “ .i t,V J 1 lUlCS*
1 It was ou the 7th of Docombor
that tho premises of Messrs. Pracis Times, and on tbo 11th following
that those of Messrs. Dixon and Messrs. Livingstone Muir, wero searched
at Bushiro’. While these ovents -wore occurring at Bushiro tbo S.S.
“ Baluchistan'” sailed from “ Mauchestor ” on the 8th of Docomher, and
after taking in a further supply of arms at Marseilles, she loft that
port on tho 27th of December. On tho 23rd of December, whilo sho
was still at Marseilles, the shipowners, Messrs. Strick & Co., wrote to
tho Boroign Oflico stating that they were informed that tho Persian
Government had given orders to prohibit tho importation of arms.
They stated that “our S.S. ‘Baluchistan’ had already left this country
“ for tho Persian Gulf with a quantity of arms and ammunition on board,
boforo tho shippers, or ourselves as carriers, had cognizance of this
“ decision.” They added that their agents had referred to tho British
Besidont, who stated “ that the arms are liable to bo seized and con­
fiscated in Persian waters," and thoy asked for “ protection iu this
matter.” Obviously their application implied that their shipments were
meant for Persia, and as Her Majesty’s Government made no promise
of protection the shippers must bo presumed to havo been awaro of
the risk they ran. This inference is strengthened by tho precautions
of secrecy taken by the porsons engaged in tho trado, to which reference
will bo made directly.
7. Before, however, that point is dealt with, I am to refer to tho
circumstances which led to tho seizure of tho arms on board tho
V Baluchistan ” in Maskat waters, by the authority of tho sovereign of
Maskat. Tho Sultan of Maskat had, previously to the arrival of tho
ship, undertaken to assist tho Government of Persia in carrying out
its prohibition, just as His Highness had in 1891 assisted the British
Government by prohibiting the importation of arms into Gwadur.
Tho British Government, whoso interests in tho matter liavo boon traced
from 1880, could not allow a portion of tho cargo of a British ship to
be seized in Maskat waters without proper securities; and, just as, in
the case of entry into warehouses in Bushiro owned by British subjects,
it authorised its consular officers to watch proceedings and by their
presence to assist the territorial authorities iu enforcing the law, so in
the waters of Maskat it co-operated with the Sultan in enforcing his
orders. H.M.S. “Lapwing,” accordingly, took part in tho seizure of
the arms, and its proceedings on behalf of the Sultan woro subsequently
reviewed, and adjudged by a Maskat Court of Inquiry to havo been
correct and legal. At that inquiry Messrs. Bracis Times might have
out forward their claim if they could havo proved it, and oven now,
Lord George Hamilton understands, it is open to them, if thoy can
do so, to prove to the satisfaction of tho British Political Agont that
any ease or cases which havo been soizod, were not roally, notwith­
standing Messrs. Strick & Co’s, letter of tho 23rd of Decomber, and
the other proofs of destination, intended for Persia, or that, if so intonded,
they were being lawfully imported into that country. Such a claim
can obviously bo best proved at Maskat whore the arms aro; and in the
absonce of such proof it doc9 not seem that tho Sultan’s decision and
action can bo properly questioned.
8. Some light is thrown upon tho plea of ignoranco, which is alleged,
by an examination of the contention mado by Messrs. Bracis Times and
others to tho olfect that tho trado in arms has been carried on in the
most open manner. Lord George Hamilton has already dealt with this
matter in my letter of the 1st of Docombor last, and further inquiries
Have only confirmed tho facts then stated. Shippers have of course
been obliged to give to the British Customs authorities to some extent
truthful specifications, but in thoso documents, such as a bill of lading,