Page 433 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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cartridge cases recovered arc of service make. None have been found of 4he
special form to which our attention had been particularly drawn in connection with the
Persian Gulf trade."
!
Arms trade in Bahrein. Agreement with the Sheikh for the suppression
of the trade, 1898.
35. In Secret Despatch No. 6, dated the iSth March 1898, the Secretary
Secret E., July 1898, Nos. 432—469. °* State intimated that His Excellency’s
report as to the arrangements made with
the Chief of Bahrein for the suppression of the arms trade and the measures
taken in consequence was awaited. In requesting the Resident in the Persian
Gulf to arrange quickly with the Sheikh, it* was pointed out that the position at
* Pro. No. 457. Bahrein was not complicated, as at
. Maskat, by treaty engagements with
other powers. \\ hat was required from the Bahrein Sheikh was a simple and
unconditional agreement to prohibit all import and export of arms into or from
that island.
Colonel Meade telegraphed! on the 3rd May 1898 that the Sheikh had
t Pro. No. 459. signed the agreement prohibiting un­
conditionally imports and exports of arms.
Copies of the agreement and of a proclamation and notification giving it effect
and making it generally known were afterwards received. The following is a
translation of the Proclamation dated 30th April, 1898:—
“ Be it known to all who see this that British and Persian vessels of war have permission
to search vessels, carrying their and our flags in Bahrein territorial waters, and to confiscate
all arms and ammunition (weapons of war) in them, if those arms and ammunition are intended
for Indian or Persian ports or the islands of Bahrein. Bahrein vessels, found in Indian and
Persian waters by British and Persian vessels of war. suspected to contain arms and
ammunition for Indian and Persian ports, and the islands of Bahrein, are liable to be
searched by the said vessels and all such arms and ammunition found in them will be
confiscated as property of the State."
The notification was as follows
“ Be it known to all who see this, that whereas we have already forbidden the sale of
arms and ammunition to our subjects in the island of Bahrein by our notification, dated 13th
Safar 1313, January 1896, and whereas there is roason to think that, notwithstanding our pro­
hibition, many arms and much ammunition are imported into Bahrein for the purpose of being
exported therefrom to British Indian and Persian ports, where such importation is prohi­
bited, and whereas we have resolved to do all that lies in our power to assist the British
and Persian Governments in putting a stop to this illegal • traffic, we hereby declare that 1
from the date of this notification the importation of arms and ammunition into the islands
of Bahrein, and the exportation of the same therefrom, is absolutely prohibited. All arms
and ammunition in future imported into the islands of Bahrein or exported therefrom will
be seized and confiscated as property of the State."
The agreement was as follows:—
" I agree to absolutely prohibit the importation of arms into Bahrein territory or ex­
portation therefrom, and, to enforce this, I have issued a notification and proclamation to
all concerned."
At the instance of the Secretary of State, Colonel Meade was asked to
expedite a full report as to the actual treatment of arms seized at Bahrein and as
to the disposal of any others placed there previous to the arrangement with the
Sheikh.

(1) The Sultan of Maskat joins the British and Persian Governments
in tjie endeavour to put a stop to the arms trade.

(2) Seizure of the S. S. “Baluchistan” in Maskat territorial waters,
1898.
35. On the 25th January, 1898, Sir A. Hardinge received information from
Her Majesty’s Consul-General in Bushire
Secret E., July 1898, Nos. 326—431.
that the Sultan of Maskat had agreed
to join the British and Persian Governments in putting an end to the traffic in
arms. With this object, the Sultan published a warning to his people informing
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