Page 326 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

182
693. Lieutenant-Colonel Kemball was of opinion that the closing of the smaller
ports, which was apparently contemplated by the Persian Government, was likely
to injure the coasting trade in the Gulf, and owing to the absence of internal
communications, would probably react on foreign trade by impeding the collec­
- tion of produce for export from the smaller ports as well as the distribution of
imported supplies (Colonel Kemball to Sir A. Hardingc, dated 22nd September
- 1901).
693. The Government of India agreed in this view, but suggested that the
difficulty might partly be met if the Persian Government were willing to adopt
the principle of section 12 of the Indian Sea Customs Act (VIII of 1878)
and to declare that certain of the smaller ports “to be ports for the carrying
on of coasting trade with customs ports or with any specified customs port and
for no other purpose." This step would, of course, require some form of customs
control at these ports, but a preventive service would be needed even if all
trade at these ports was prohibited (Foreign Department letter No. 2057-E.A.,
dated 14th December 1901).

(cii) Purchase of the Belgian Yacht Selika, re-named Mosaffcri, for the use of the
Customs Administration, 1903.
693. In January 1903 the Resident reported that the Belgian Yacht Selika,
whose movements are noticed in the
Secret E., May 1903, Nos. 39*4>>
Prdcis on the International Rivalry
and British Policy in the Persian Gulf (paragraphs 28 and 49), had been
purchased by the Persian Government for the use of the customs administration
and named Mosafferi. It was armed with two guns mounted on her bridge. She
was manned with Belgian officers and Persian crew. She had not the status of
a man-of-war.

(ciii) Persian customs ports in Arabistan and the Persian Gulf, 1903-05.
694. The following are the places in the Persian Gulf and Arabistan, at
which Persian Customs ports have been
Secret E., February 1905, Nos. 180-232 (No. 229).
established. They are taken from thc-
list attached to the R'eglement Douanicr,
which was forwarded by Sir A. Hardinge to the Marquess of Lansdowne with his
despatch, dated 30th August 1904:—
Arabistan.

“ Principaux,” ** Accessoires.”

1 Mohammerah • •• • ••
2 Ahwaz.
3 Dizful.
4 Shuster.
5 Busi.
6 Mashur.
7 Hindian.
8 Gadar-Baloutak.