Page 197 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part Vl^-Obap. XLI. 176
Explanation 0/ the 4th Article of the Treaty with the Pacificated Arabs.
Piratical wars being in oxhtcnco previous to tho conclusion of the treaty with tho paci­
ficated Arabr, it was nccessaiy for tho purpose of introducing tho new order of things which
this treaty announces in its first articlo, vis.—" Thoro shall be a cessation of plnmlcr and piracy
by land and by sea on tho part of the Arabs who arc parties to this contract for ever,” that
theso piratical wars should bo brought to a termination.
2. With this view tho fourth articlo of the Treaty was inserted, vis.—f< Tho pacificated
Arabs shall nil of them continuo in their former relations, with tho exception that they shall bo
at peace with the British Government and shall not fight with each other, and tho flag shall
be a symbol of this only and of nothing more."
8. Tho meaning of this articlo when taken in conjunction with tho definition of acknow­
ledged war to bo found in tho second article, becomes perfectly apparent, and it may be thus
developed—"Tho Pacificated Arabs sludl all of them continue in their former" political rela­
tions with each other, with the execution “ that as all piratical wars shall henceforward coa.sa
they shrill bo nt peace with tin*. British Government and shall not light with each other " in
tho samo piratical manner as formerly.
4, *' Tho flag is a symbol of this," vis., that piratical wars have ceised “ and of nothing
else."
5. It is not and thereforo nover can bo called with propriety the British flag, it is only
the flag of certain friends of the British who may, by the adoption of-this flag, bo desirous to
avoid the ruquo of being confounded with pirates.
6. 'There is nothing in these articles which prevents the arabs from declaring war, but
whenever they -do so they are required to fight after the manner of an acknowledged war “ which
the second Article defino* to be that which is proclaimed, avowed and ordered by Goverumont
against Government." The British Government has always said that it will consider all wars
that are not acknowledged as piratical, aud treat whoever may be engaged in them accordingly,
and the latter part of the second article siates that,s the killing of men and taking of goods
without proclamation avowed aud ihe order of a Government is plunder aud piracy "
7. The British Government being most desirous to maintain to the whole of the Arab
tribes inhabiting the shores of this Gulf tho blessing of peace and tranquillity, is most ready on
,all occasions to offer its mediation where disputes may exist and will always rejoice at their
peaceable and happy termination, whilst it avows most distinctly its absolute determination not
to tolerate for a moment any piratical practices, and it will look to the different Chieftains for
the maintenance of due order among all their subjects.