Page 91 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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taken to assert it. Lord Salisbury, whilst admitting the affair had not been con-
duoted as quietly as it well might have been, reasserted his views of the declara­
tion and considered that our action was, in substance, ontircly right. IIo referred
to the subsidy and the special engagement prohibiting alienation of territory.
Monsieur do Camhon denied any designs of permanent occupation; objected
to the proposal of acquiring a coaling station in thenamo of french citizens, and
suggested that the same end would be attained if franco, retaining her acqui­
sition, formally disclaimed any interference from her possession of a coal depot,
which could he construed as derogatory to tho independence of the Imam or
establishing any right to tho littoral. Lord Salisbury promised to consult the
India OUicc on this suggestion.
343. Tho Viceroy, having beon consulted, telegraphed
Telegram Xo. 315-E. A., dntoJ the 25th February 1899.
From—His Excellency tho Viceroy, Calcutta,
To—Her Majesty’s Secretary of Stato for India, London.
Your telegram 24th. Our vi«w is that Frcnoh policy at Maskat in re9pect of Arab
dhows, and appointment and intrigues of Vice-Consul and finally of demand for coaling
depftt ha9 been inspired by calculated hostility to Groat Britain. Il'e do not dispute
her treaty rig/ts ; but we protested against their exercise in a manner unfriendly to ourselves
and in a spot where French interests are insignificant and British interests are supreme.
After compelling Sultan to cancel Ji-seh cession, we entertain strongest objection to
reviving it in any other form or disguise. Neither can wo understand why coal-sheds
eveu like our own, should be required by French in Maskat. In 1897 uo French merchants
steamer entered Maskat. There arc no French subjects beyond French protected Arabs.
A French gun-boat visits Maskat at very rare intervals, and can procure coal from British
depdt when required. For what purpose therefore is a coal depGt requirod either iu Maskat
harbour or—which is much more suspicious—elsewhere in Maskat territory ?
On other hand we subsidise Sultan. Wo have practical monopoly of trade; and our
political influence in Maskat has hitherto been nnd must remain supreme.
Similarly wo are unable to understand sudden French interest in Persian Gulf. Her
imports to entire Gulf ports in 1897 amounted to £76,000, of which £G9,0d0 was loaf-sugar.
Only one small French steamer outered any of these ports. French intrigues at Koweit
already reported, and at-Mask at, appear t<» «ist<» be designed solely to annoy Great Britain and
to assist Hussian policy in Gulf. We regard the case therefore as one iu whioh, while there may
bo purity of treaty right, thoro is no other parity, politioal or commercial ; and we earnestly
entreat Lord Salisbury in discussions with French Ambassador to bear in mind these views,
We have just received from M«ado translation of Jisseh grant to French:—Begins. Be
it known to all that we have given to French Government a place for coal on the coast at a
distance from dwelling houses where it would not hurt them, outside Maskat, a pieco of land
about the size of a godown in one of tho coves dopendent on Maskat, as a mark of favour and
respect to the great French Government on account of the friendship and coucord. Ends.
This is dated March 7th, 1893, and was apparently made at time of visit of French
gun-boat. Nevertheless M. Delcas'O told Sir E. Monson on December 2nd that it was first he
had heard of it and that he did no* beliovo it. The inference from this statement and from
M. Cambon's suggestions is that depot was intended as a means of competing with British
political influence in Gulf. Full report to you will follow by next mail for Parliamentary use.
344. On 27th February the Secrolary of State telegraphed that the
French Government accepted English reading of the treaty of 1862 that
neither State might accept cession or lease of Maskat territory, hut icished to
have a coal depot on the same terms as our own.
344-A. The question of our right to make demands on tho Sultan regard­
ing Foreign representatives was again discussed, and in a telegram, dated the
20th February 1893, the Foreign Department informing Colouel Meade that ho
should he careful not to make any demand upon tho Sultan to receive no
Foreign representatives, which would bo contrary to treaty, requested a report
as to what reason, if any, the Sultan had given to tho Fronck Consul for
declining to receive one Abdul Aziz as French Agent.
345. The Secretary of State in his telegram, dated 2Stk February, direct­
ed the Government of India to write to the Sultan expressing satisfaction at his
acceding to the terms of tho demands made on him and binding himself to
abide by the advico of our Agent, and to state that if thereafter the French
Government asked for coaling facilities, the British Government would not