Page 19 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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(ii) The Sultan should in the first instance purchase a good steam
vessel at a cost of about £15,000. Such a vessel, Colonel
Mocklor thought a sine qua non for the consolidation and con­
servation of the Sultan’s power along the coast. A small despatch
vessel also would bo required for ordinary and continued com­
munication with the coast towns.
(iii) Creation of fund of about £10,GOO, the interest of which should
bo utilized for the improvements of wharves, landing places,
fortifications, etc.
2*A. Colonel Ross, to whom the above letter was addressed, had no time
to dispose of it before ho handed overcharge to Major Talbot. But he expressed
his opinions personally to Major Talbot. Colonel Ross was of opinion that
the Sultan would not willingly part away with Qwadur and that the measure
would be distasteful to the Arabs. Major Talbot feared that a demand for sale
of Gwadur so soon after obtaining from the Sultan the declaration not to sell
or cede, etc., his, land to foreign powers without the British consent, would bo
regarded with suspicion. Colonel Ross also said that although Sayyid Faisal’s
power was much more nominal than real, this had been long his father’s
position and it was only in later years of his reign he had consolidated his
power. In short Colonel Ross was in favour of letting matters alone and of
patience being shown with the Sultan.
3. The Government of India agreed in the views (demi-official of Mr.
Cuningham to Major Talbot, dated 20th May 1891).
4. So the “ let alone '* policy was adopted by the Government of India
at the beginning of the period, which is covered by this precis.