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Debai a strongly worded letter regarding the case of a boat sailing under the
Fronoh flag which was alleged to have been wrecked and plundered in his
territory. Captain Grey added that the “ Internet'* was expected shortly at
Maskat, and would, ho bclioved, proceed to Debai. Colonel Kemball reoom-
mondod that, as ho beliovod the French Consul was unaware of the engagements
by which tho Trucial Chiofs arc precluded from entering into correspondence
with any Foreign Power, bo should inform M. Laronce of our agreements,
and express liis willingness to mnko enquiry and do his best to settle tho matter
if particulars wero furnished. Tho Resident was authorised to proceed in the
manner proposed, and tho faots were reported by telegraph to the Secretary of
State with a suggestion that situation should bo explained to the French Gov­
ernment.
488. On tho 15th April, Mr. Brodriok telegraphed that the French Gov­
ernment wero unaware of our treaty engagements with the Sheikh, and agreed
to tho settlement of the incident by His Majosty's Govornmeut without their
intervention. They asked that tho Sheikh might at once be caused to give
satisfaction, and that intimation might then bo made to them of the settlement
effected. In the meanwhile, they undertook to delay the arrival of the cruiser
which had not yet reached Maskat.
489. On tho 14th May, Captain Grey reported that the Debai inoident had
been satisfactorily settled by the decision of a Religious Court granting Ali-bin-
Salim an award of 300 dollars, which he accepted. The French Consul agreed
with Captain Grey in thinking that this settlement closed tho incident.
490. It is interesting to note that the French flag and papers, which formed
the pretext for intervention by the Fronoh Consul, appear originally to have
been granted to one Salim-bin-Mahomcd. On his death in 1902 his boat passed
by inheritance to his eldest son, Ali-bin-Salim, who had since flown the French
flag, and now claimed, moreover, the right to transfer it to a new vessel which
he had procured to replace that wrocked at Debai.
491. The Secretary of State was addressed on the 11th August regard­
ing the action of Ali-bin-Salim who after the destruction of his vessel transfer­
red to a new ship tho French flag originally granted to his father. It was
suggested that besides the question whether the right to fly a French flag
descends by inheritance, that of transferring it to a new craft, and also the issue
whether a flag-holder can fly the flag on all bouts that he may possess or claim
to own should be referred, among other points, for a decision by the Hague
Tribunal.

(xi) Formal agreement referring the question to the Hague Tribunal.
492. On tho 24th October the Secretary of State telegraphed that the
formal agreemont with the French Gov­
Secret E., May 1905, Noe. 170-287 (No. 173).
ernment connected with the issue of
French flags to the subjects of the Sultan of Maskat was signed on 13th Oc­
tober 1904. A telegram was sent in reply that the supply of the promised
list of French protected Maskat subjects should be prossed for.
493. The Secretary of State was informed (20th October) of the American
Consul having, at the instance of the
Ibid, Not. 176 and 183.
American Legation at the Hague, asked
the Political Agent, Maskat, for a written statement of the French flag case
at Maskat and Of tho terms on which it would he submitted to the Peace Tribu­
nal. Instructions wrero given to Major Grey that, while representing the local
aspects of the question to the American Consul, ho should suggest that inform­
ation as to the facts to he submitted for arbitration would best be obtained in
London through tho United States Ambassador. The Secretary of State
approved of this action. It was further asked that the demand for the promised
list of French flag-holders be pressed. Tho Secretary of State informed us that
this will bo done.