Page 20 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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Although the Sultnn had promised to borrow Inclomiro :» in
only from His Majesty’s Government, advances
were obtained by him from M. Goguyor (a French [ioi«8J.
merchant), the Khojas (Muscat subjects), and
various firms, against future payments of cus­
toms dues. In August 1007 thoPolitical Resident jnjja ()lljr0
in the Persian Gulf reported that a further sum Gotolwr iu*. is»«7
had been borrowed from M. Goguyer against the L' ’
security of these dues. It seemed to him a good
opportunity for ollicinl remonstrance, unless it
might bo considered better to wait until the ter­
mination of tho French Flog ease.
The control of the Arms Traffic may not im­
probably evoke a wish in some quarters to inter­
nationalize the Muscat Customs Administration.
It is perhaps therefore not unfortunate that in Customs Reorganization.
view of the slate of the Sultan’s financial affairs,
and the recent conclusion of the Muscat Arbitra­
tion Award negotiations, occasion may soon occur
for reviving tho proposal to reorganize this
Department, under British auspices.

The Musurulim Peninsula.
The following description of tho Musandim
Peninsula is taken from Lord Curzon’s book ou
Persia:—
“ Fifteen miles from the extreme point of T^is
Musandim the promontory again narrows to an
isthmus, named Maklab, not more than half a
mile in width, by which it is united to the main­
land. Ou the eastern sido of this isthmus a
splendid bay, called by the natives Ghubbeh
Gliazireh, and by tho Luglish Malcolm's Inlet,
sweeps in from the sea. On the western side is
an even finer natural harbour, more completely
landlocked, and providing anchorage for the
largest vessels, known os Flphiustone’s Inlet.
Tho station or Khasab, at the entrance to this
wonderful cove, has before now been recom­
mended (amongst others by Sir Lewis Polly) for
permanent occupation by the Brifish, as a naval
base in the Persian Gulf. Here the entire British
fleet might safely ride at anchor.
“ When the telegraph cable was first being laid
These sums arc being rc]>aid by deductions from tho
Sultan’s subsidy. In Septemlr.-r 1900 (tho latest information
received) tho Inlance duo from the Sultan to the Government of
India on account of the above was stated to bo -19,791 rupees
(viz., 3J,79i rujjccs on account of ihe udvance for the yacht;
lrf,000 rujiees balance due on tho other two loans).