Page 61 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER XIII.
French and other Foreign influences at work at Maskat,
18 92—98-
204. Tho period from 1S93 to 1898 is marked by a decided increase of
French influence * in tho Maskat domi-
• Ae regard* liistorlcal oonnertion of France and
see an article piihhahod in Politiqut Colo• lllOnS. Tlie history of this inoroase is
niale, reptinted in Seont A\, May 1S93, Hot. 5-G. mainly connected with tho liberal
grant of French papers and flags to Suri Arabs for thoir dhows, under which
they claimod French protection. Wo shall dovoto asoparato chapter (chapter
XIV) to this French flag question, and summarise here the correspondence
connected with tho appointment of a French Pice-Consul at Maskat.
205. In the course of a discussion in the French Chamber of Deputies in
November 1892, M. F. Dclondo stated
Secret E., May 1893, No*. 1*4.
that lie considered it to be incumbent on
tho obligations and honors of France to have a Consular! Agent of some kind
at Maskat to keep a register of French protected subjects, adding that of late
years Russian injluence had begun to make headway against that of Great
Britain in tho Persian Gulf and that his proposal would be a proof of the
combined action of France with the great nation, which is her ally. The Minis­
ter for Foreign Affairs replied that tho matter was under consideration and
that he hoped in a short time to bo able to satisfy M. Delondo in this matter.
206. In July 1891 the Foreign Office recoived nows that the French
Government had decided to establish a
Secret E., September 1894, No». 89-94.
Consulate at Maskat and appointed Mon­
sieur Ottavi, Dragoman to the French Consulate at Mogador, to the post.
Lord Kimberley asked for Mr. Fowler’s observations on the matter.
Mr. Fowler, referred to the correspond­
X See Chapter I, paragraph 1.
ence of 3 890J on the proposed British
protectorate over Maskat, and observed that as the Sultan of Maskat continued
to be nominally an independent ruler, though practically in subsidiary relation
with the Indian Government, it would be difficult to contest the right of the
French Government to appoint a Consul at Maskat so long as tho Anglo-French
declaration of 1S62 remained in existence and a British protectorate over
Oman was not declared (India Office to the Foreign Office, dated 17th July 1894).
207. Mr. A Hardinge, His Majesty’s Agent at Zanzibar, in his despatch,
dated 7th July 1894, pointed out that,
Secret E., October 1S9I, Noe. 44*46.
from an Indian point of view, the presence
of a French Consul at what is practically a Native Indian Court would be
objectionable and would not bo warranted by the “ interests of commerce ”
referred to in connection with the appointment of ConsuU in article 6 of
the Treaty signed between Franco and Maskat iu 1844, but that from the
Zanzibar Government point of view, it would be hardly less so, as it would
afford additional encouragement to the Suri Arabs, who though Maskat sub­
jects, claimed French protection and attempted to carry on slave trade between
Oman and Zanzibar under the shelter of the French flags after giving a good
deal of trouble (see also paragraph 250 below).
208. M. Paul Ottavi, who had been appointed French Fice-Consul at
Maskat, arrived there by mail steamer
Becrtt E., February 1895, Noe. 438-463.
from Karachi on 8th November 1894.
203 A., Ext. D., May 1895, Nob. 316* 817. The French cruiser Troude visited Maskat
in March 1S95.
209. There is nothing important to note of the activity of other powers
than France in Maskat from 1892 to 1898, except that in September 1893 the
Secret E., July 1894, No*. 68-G7. Russian Volunteer cruiser Nijni Novgorod
Secret E„ January 1895, Nob. 22-23.
visited Maskat and some of its officers
had a secret interview with tho Sultan. There were in 1894 rumours of
Russian intrigues, and of the presence of a Secret Agent of theirs who helped
these intrigues.
t It appears that a French KiM-Conaul wa* appointed in 1874. but the appointment no*er took effect. Colonel
? I A^J *,k0<1 *188'* n”" 19 2gD,a|jrp*jj l£ accopt the po»t, bat ho dccliued to accept it (Pull*
[C973FD] " 6 *' ’*” °tCU " c r“"J,187*'I'“,'8-10)