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was res ponsible, cither directly or indirectly, for all tlio trouble which the
Sultan had to endure in oonneotion with Sur. There was little doubt that it
was ontirely at the instigation of Alxlul-Aziz, the French Dragoman, that
the Makhanna held out against Sayyid Faisal’s demand that the youth should
bo made over to him.
481A. In February 1904 the following tolegraphic correspondence passed
between tho Secretary of State and the
8«crtt E., Way 1904, Nob. 76—121 (Nob. 119-120).
Government of India:—
Telegram P., datod 19th February 1904.
From-—Tho Secretary of Stato, London,
To—His Excellency tho Viceroy, Calcutta.
The London Foreign Office are trying to find an opportunity of inoluding
Secret E., May 1904, Nob 76-21 (Nob. 113- Maskat in the general arrangements now
120). being negotiated with France. They will
press for recognition by Franco of a British Protectorate, but they ask us
whether there is any smaller concession which uould bo worth trying for, if
this is found impossible. Please communicate your views by telegraph.

Telegram P., No. 673-E.A., datod tho 27th Fobruary 1904.
From—His Excellency the Viceroy, Calcutta,
To—His Majesty'6 Secretary of State, London.
Maskat. Please see your telegram of February 19th. Short of the recog­
nition of a British Protectorate or rather abrogation of the Treaty of 1862,
we can think of no satisfactory solution of Maskat question. Such smaller
matters for which we have frequently pressed as French concurrence in tho
supressiou of arms trade at Maskat, vide our despatch of 30th July 1903, and
expulsion of Goguyer, to which might ho added suppression of most pernicious
arms traffic at Jibuti in accordance with clause 6 of Anglo-French Agreement
of 188o to neglect of which attention of French Government was drawn in
1901 by Monson. These matters are, however, hardly of the character referred
to, and Bis Majesty’s Government may perhaps prefer that they should form
the subject of more ordinary diplomatic negotiations.
482. In March 1904 the French Ambassador in London proposed a draft
treaty to meet the French Hag difficulty as appears from the following tele­
gram of the Secretary of State :—

Telegram P., dated the 30tb March 1804.
From—Hie Majesty's Secretary of State for India, London,
To—His Eieolloncy the Vicoroy, Calcutta.
Tho French Ambassador in the course of general negotiations proposes to substitute for
impending arbitration a draft article to the following effect
Clause 7.—Renewal of the reciprocal engagements of March 10th, 1862, and August
6th, 1890.
Clause 77.—An engagement for tho future not to issue French flags to the subjects of
the Sultan without previous understanding with him : His Majesty's Government on the
other hand agreeing to recognise French protection of Maskat subjects residing in or owning
property in the French Colouies.
Clause 777.—The proprietors of French-proteoled dhows to bo under French protection
both on land and at sea, out. their immovable property on land to he subject to local laws ;
protection to be extended to families iu direct descent from Kronch protege.
Clause IV*— The masters and crews of French-protected dhows to be under French
protection only at 6oa, subject to provisions of the Brussels Act.
Clause V—The French Government to furnish within two months a complete list of its
Maskat proteges, whioh will be subject to examination. In case the title should in any
case he shown to be defective, the trench papers will not he renewed. Do you consider that
it would he possible to amend this article in such a manner as to mako it acceptable? I shall
be glad to receive your views as soon as possible.
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