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Despatch No. 22G-9ccrot, dated 8tl\ Dcccmbor 190 , in connection with tho
trade between Jibuti and Aden Hinterland. Steps were also being taken for
tho repression of tho scurrilous leaflets which issued from Heyrout and in which
M. Goguyor was believed to be interested. It was decided to take no other
action than simply send tho papers about M. Goguyor’s doings to the India
Otlico.
(▼) Journey to Sur and back by Mona. Billecocq, Vice-Consul for Francs at Maskat,
1005.

COD. Tho French Vico-Consul, M. Billecocq and his dragoman appear to
snssfe'ra Tssns:
Groy referred the matter to the Sultan, who said that ho had heard nothing of
tho project and would write to enquire. There was no doubt that tho French
Vice-Consul had made preparations for tho ovorlaud journey and would have
slipped away quietly had he not boon proventod by a severe attack of fovor.
He intended now to proceed to Karachi for tho bonofit of bis health under
advice of the Assistant Surgeon.
666. Major Grey’s relations with the French Yioo-Conaul loft nothing to
be desired, but the lattor lost no opportunity of slighting the Sultan, and
Major Grey considered it highly advisable that he should he dissuaded from
travelling in Oman until tho question of French prot6gds was finally settled.
The scheme of visiting Sur was for tho time being in abeyance and His
Highness, acting on with tho concurrence of Major Grey, would try to prevent
it being carried into elfect on M. Billeoocq’s return to Maskat (Major Grey’s
letter No. 22, dated 14th January 1906).
667- Exception was taken by tho Foreign Office to Major Groy’s aotion in
moving His Highness tho Sultan to refuse
8ecrot E., September 1006, Nos. 120 160.
facilities for the French Vice-Consul’s
journey to Sur. It was, however, explained by Major Grey that ho did not
move the Sultan to refuse facilities, but owing to the unsettled condition of
tho tribes and the increase of anti-Eurnpeau feeling occasioned by recent
events connected with the island of Maseirah, he only suggested that tho Vice-
Consul should bo recommended not to journey in the direction of Sur. The
French Vice-Consul on his return to Maskat proposed to pay his usual visit to
Sur in May, and tho olYeot of this visit the Political Agent foared would doubt­
less be to strengthen the opposition of certain members of the Sur community
to the Sultan’s jurisdiction and to increase the number of malcontents
(Major Grey’s letter No. 162, dated 3rd April 1905).
668. On 28tb April 1906 Major Grey telegraphed
“The French Consul wi>hea to borrow His Highness the Sultan’s steamer for his journey
to Sur. Should His Highness lend or refuse it ? If he did loud it, the Frenoli Government
might perhaps represent that in their case it was a proof of acquiescence not only in the
journey, but also the object for whiok it is takeu.”
Major Cox having fully endorsed Major Groy’s viows, the Government of
India instructed the Political Agent to advise His Highness, in case he was
consulted, to frankly tell tho Frenoli Consul that pending the Hague Tribunal’s
deoision, he would prefer to lend tho steamer noithor to the French nor the
English Consul in case such action might be interpreted in favour of either
party (telegram dated 2nd May 1906).
669. The Freuch Vice-Consul proceeded to Sur on tho French flagship
Infernet on 16th May.
Secret E., August 1605, Nor 303-317.
670. At the time the Sultan was at Gwadur, and on the dayofhia
departure the French Vice-Consul posted
Bocret E., 8eptembor 1005, Noa. 129-150.
a letter to His Highness requesting that
the Nur-el-Bahr might bo sent to Sur early in June to bring him and bis wife
back to Mnskat. This request the Sultan declined to comply with. On
hearing of this refusal, Major Cox arranged to despatch tho Layxoing, whioh
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