Page 431 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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In July, 1896, news was received from Zanzibar regarding an attempt made
by Arabs, proceeding to Maskat, to
Secret E., August 1896, Nos. 70—-72.
smuggle on board the S. S. " Avoca ” a
large number of guns, possibly intended to assist rebels in Maskat.
The Commissioner in Sind authorised to issue export licenses, 1896.
29. The Bombay Government, writing in September 1896, drew attention
External A., November I1896, Nos. to the fact that while the District
57 59- Magistrate, Karachi, could under rule
6 of the rules framed under the Indian Arms Act, 1878, grant licenses for
exports to certain specified ports, the Commissioner in Sind was not authorised
to issue any export licenses under the Act. As a consequence, all applications
for the export of arms, etc., by sea from Karachi to Bushire and Maskat, and
other ports in the Persian Gulf and in Turkish Arabia had to be referred to the
Bombay Government. As a result of this representation, the Government of
India issued the necessary notification authorising the Commissioner in Sind to
issue the export licenses.
The ultimate destination of arms shipped to the Persian Gulf
discussed. Measures for the suppression of the trade, 1897.
30. In January, 1897, the Intelligence Branch in forwarding an extract from
the “ Quarterly Return of important war
Secret E., August 1897, Nos. 23—35.
material and Naval Stores shipped to
Foreign Ports from the United Kingdom,” enquired as to the ultimate destina­
tion of the arms and ammunition shipped to Bushire and Maskat. The
Resident in the Persian Gulf who was asked to supply the requisite information
replied that of the shipments to Maskat and Bahrein 'a large part, in the case
of Martini-Henry rifles, was destined for Bushire, whence these rifles were
distributed to the surrounding Persian districts, to other Persian ports, to Persian
Arabistan whence some doubtless crossed the Turkish frontier, and to Koweit for
Turkish Arabia. The weapons classed as " guns,” probably included Enfield
rifles, and were said mostly to go to Hadramant and thence into Arabia ; some
also found their way to the Pirate Coast and to Mekran and Persian Baluchistan.
It was estimated that of the Martini-Henry rifles, about 60 per cent, found their
ultimate destination in Persian territory, 25 per cent, in Turkish territory, and
the rest in Arabia. Of the Enfield rifles and other weapons 50 per cent, were
estimated as going into inland Arabia, 20 per cent, to Oman, 10 per cent, to
El Hasa, Katr and Koweit and 20 per cent to Mekran and South-Eastern Persia.
It was noted that there were apparently no means of checking or effectively
preventing the arms and ammunition trade carried on in the Gulf ports.
So far back as 1880, Sir Mortimer Durand had noted that it seemed very
questionable whether the efforts then made to check it would not have the effect
of driving it into foreign vessels which would not touch at Indian ports. But,
apart from this opinion, there existed actual difficulties in the way of stopping
the trade in arms, etc., in the Persian Gulf. The local Turkish and Persian
officials would be required to actively support any preventive measures that
might be introduced ; while the assistance of the Trucial Chiefs, as well as of the
Chief of Bahrein and the Sultan of Maskat, in this direction, would also have to
be reckoned upon.
Maskat was said to be the centre of the trade; and tbe treaty concluded
with the Sultan by Great Britain in 1891 precluded all interference with trade
generally. America, France and Holland also had treaties with Maskat, which
gave, them the right to sell arms and ammunition freely. If, therefore, any check
on imports of these articles was to be effectively exercised, the provisions of those
treaties must first be amended, or the provisions of the Brussels Conference
Act be made applicable to Maskat.
The Sultan of Maskat requests sanction to an increase of 2\ per cent,
on the import duties on arms and ammunition, 1897.
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31. In April, 1897, the Political Agent, Maskat, reported that the Sultan
had asked for sanction to an increase of 2$ per cent, on the import-duty on arms