Page 469 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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is to sell to the tribes. Four months ago these Laris and Gerashis had brought in
Maskat rifles, revolvers, and cartridges to the value of about §80,000, and it was from
this lot that they had landed these rifles and cartridges (mentioned ip Agent’s previous
report). They do not always land them (the arms and ammunition) at one port only.
They take into consideration the exigencies of the time and the friendship of the Chief of
Shib Kuh with the Khans of Lar."

Measures taken for the suppression of the arms traffic between Oman
and the Somali Coast.
84. In a secret despatch No. 23, dated the 28th August 1903 the Secretary
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between Oman and the Somali Coast, said that the Sultan of Maskat should be
moved to issue a notification declaring illegal the exportation of arms and am­
munition to the portions of the African coast and islands, including Socotra,
lying to the north of Cape Guardafui which are under the British Protectorate,
and authorising the seizure of such arms and ammunition in Maskat territorial
waters and in Maskat dhows on the high seas.
Telegraphing later, the Secretary of State said that the Sultan should be
invited to issue notification extending the prohibitions to the Italian Protectorate,
also to empower the British and Italian ships of war to deal with suspected Mas­ i
kat dhows in territorial waters and on high seas.
85. On the 20th October 1903, Major Cox forwarded a copy of the notifica­
tion issued by the Sultan.
Notification.
To all whom it may concern.
Be it known that, in pursuance of an understanding come to by the Govern­
ments of Great Britain and Italy, the importation of arms and warlike stores to
those portions of the African Coast and islands (including Socotra) lying to the
north of Ras Aseer (i.*., Cape Guardafui), which are under the British Protec­
torate, and also to those parts ot the African Coast, which are under the Italian
Protectorate, has been prohibited.
Accordingly, at the request of the British Government pursuant to her
understanding with the Government of Italy, I hereby notify the said prohibi­
tion.
Be it, therefore, known that any native craft transporting arms or warlike
stores to the localities in question will incur the risk of confiscation, and that I
•have granted the authority to British men-of-war to search, on my behalf, vessels
which there is season to suspect in this connection in Maskat and Oman waters,
and similarly to search Maskat crafts on the high seas if reason exists for
suspecting them.
Furthermore, I hereby grant authority to Italian ships of war also to search
suspected Maskat vessels either in territorial waters or on the high seas.
Maskat ;
The jyth October 1903, 1

The rights of search by men-of-war defined, 1903.
86. Commander Kemp addressing the Political Resident in the Persian
c M XT 0 Gulf on the loth August 1903, asked that
secret E., April 1904, Nos. 89—93. ^ mjght be informed on tbe following
points:—
1. Whether all vessels (with the exception of those, under French and
Turkish colours) rnay be searched by His Majesty’s ships), both
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