Page 141 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

Hi
Chahhnr, in order to collect information about
tho movements of Afghans, expected consign­
ments of arms, &e., which they will communicate
without delay to British ships engaged in tin!
suppression of the trade.
flow far tlicso measures will be successful
remains to bo seen. For the present tho sit uation
may bo summarized in tho words used by the
Govommont of Government of India in their despatch of the
India's lottor of
Fobruary 21,1907. 21st February, 1U07. " Wo regard it os certain,"
they wrote, that elfectivc action for the suppres­
sion of the arms trade cannot be taken by tho
Persian authorities. On the coast, the Belgian
Customs oflieials arc few in number, and although,
perhaps, willing to give assistance for tho
suppression of the traffic, they have uot tin;
means at. their disposal really to take efficient
measures to deal with the evil. Inland, as is
well known, the Persian authorities are powerless
outside the towns, and large caravaus can travel
uv unfrequented routes without the slightest risk
of interference.”

II.— Quarantine.

(Communicated by the India Office.)
A.
“Tho sanitary defence of the Persian Gulf,”
wrote Dr. Theodore Thomson in his Report of tho
12th July, 19UG, “has in the past received, and
still continues to reecivo, considerable attention,
not only in the interests of countries adjaceut
thereto, but also because it is maintained by
some authorities that cholera and plague are
particularly likely to invade these regions’ by
reason of their nearness to, and frequent commu­
nication with, India, and thence to extend over­
land to Europe. This viow was voiced by
M. Bnrrfcre, oue of tho French Delegates at the
International Sauitary Conference of 1897, when
he classified the Persian Gulf, along with the
Red Sea, as tho ' routes naturelles des maladies
pestilentielles.’ In relation with this aspect of
the matter the question of what measures should
be adopted with a viow to guarding against the
suggested danger to Europe was discussed at tho
International Sanitary Conferences of 1894,1897,
[363] E