Page 478 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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competition had assumed such a formidable aspect, and that having once gained
a sufficiently profitable footing with their arms traffic to insure themselves
against loss, they might seriously threaten our trade in other directions. It was
further shown that the regulations in great measure failed in their object, owing
to the introduction of brokers, whereby the name of the real purchaser did not
appear in the transaction.
/filf. The Secretary of State was addressed
• Pro. No. 340 Hid,
in* Despatch No. 156, dated the 18th
August 1904:—
" Wc have the honour to refer to your telegram, dated the 3rd November 1903,
directing that, until the views of the French Government had been ascertained on the
points raised in our Secret despatch No. 112, dated the 30th July 1903, relative to the
suppression of the arms traffic and the expulsion of Moos. Goguyer from Maskat, no action
should be taken in connection with the matter dealt with in paragraph 6 of the same des­
patch as to the cancellation of the rules issued in 1898 requiring British subjects at Maskat
to submit weekly statements to the Political Agent of the importation and sale by them
of arms and ammunition.
2. We now forward a further reference from the Political Resident in the Persian
Gulf, in which he again invites attention to the disabilities which the existing regulations
impose upon our traders. We agree with Captain Grey that it is very desirable, so long as
the trade continues, to secure its remaining, as far as possible, in the hands of British sub­
jects ; and if there appears to be no probability of the early conclusion of any agreement with
the French Government, for the suppression of the arms traffic at Maskat, or for the ex-
pulsion of Mons. Goguyer, we recommend that, pending the issue of orders on the sub­
ject dealt with in paragraphs 1 to 5 of our Secret despatch No. i»2, dated the 30th July
1903, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, may be permitted to suspend the restric­
tions in question.” '
The right of the Persian Customs authorities to interfere with vessels
.carrying arms and ammunition fot other than Persian ports, 1904.
/oS In August 1904, correspondence passed between the Minister at Tehran
and the Resident in the Persian Gulf, regarding certain arms which had been dis­
covered in the luggage of some passengers bound for Koweit in the S. S.
“ Kangra” in May 1904.
Major Cox informed Sir Arthur Hardinge that he did not consider that
the Belgian Customs Department should be permitted to search the baggage
of steamer passengers not booked to Persian Ports, much less to seize arms not
so consigned or destined. With regard to the dhow traffic, Major Cox thought
that the question was more difficult. Any dhow with arms on board, once she
has passed the Quoins into the Persian Gulf proper, is carrying contraband, but
there might be occasions when small presents of arms could legitimately pass
between one Sheikh and another. As far as Basrah dhows were concerned, the
Turks professed to make their own arrangements for checking the illicit import
of arms. The officials of the Persian Customs Administration, already had
powers which enabled them to harass non-Persian dhows, many of them British
protected, to a considerable extent, and the Resident therefore, thought that
it would be a dangerous additional weapon in their hands for worrying native
craft, were we to admit any right on their part to search dhows and to seize
as contraband arms or other goods not clearly destined for Persia.

The Arms traffic at Koweit.
In the diary of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, under heading
Koweit, the 8th August 1904, the following was recorded :—
“ It is believed that either Sheikh Mubarek or his son has an arrangement with Mons*
Goguyer by which the latter imports arms and ammunition, and the former takes delivery
thereof. The British India Steam Navigation Company’s S. S. " Henzada” is said to have
brought last week 12 cases of arms and ammunition which were taken delivery of by the
Sheikh.”
/^Under date the 18th August, a further delivery of arms to the Sheikh was
recorded, and on the 22nd August 1904:—
five Basrah merchants have come here to buy arms probably to sell to Basrah people*
as Haji Monnir's death has caused a great sensation, and there is a demand for firearms
• for personal protection.”