'File 35/85 III A 10 French Flag Question' [‎272v] (569/610)

t»o receive "Ghe man's st»at.emen'5 as regards the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. owned by him
self, but, said "Dhati enquiry would have "Do be made from each of
t.he other owners concerning their actual possessions^ I
suggested that we should go together and make such enquiry forth
with,, but he pointed out that as most of the owners were now
absent from Sur, it could not be made before their return at the
end of April,. I observed that Salem ben Selim was not likely
to have spoken anything but the truth, and suggested that M.
Laronce had not been supplied with correct information ftom which
to compile his list* He replied that he could not be responsi
ble for any mistakes which might have have been made by the Arabs,
and concluded by repeating that the individuals,, and not the
dhows, were the important point in the opinion of his -Government.
On the 17th Instant I received a private letter from M. Laronce
(enclosure 2) to which I replied officially (enclosure £.) giving
the information submitted mith my letter No.101 in column 6 of
the French list.
4.- I am now waiting to see whether any, and if any
what, steps are taken by my colleague to shew his displeasure
at His Highness the Sultan's action in regard to Salem ben Selim,
or at the action of Salem himself in affording me information.
It may be suggested that it would have been better had I sent
Salem to M. Laronce, but had I done that a good opportunity
would have been lost of emphasizing the new situation created
by the provisions of paragraph 6: of the Ha'gue award. The
patience and good temper with which I am endeavouring to conduct
these negociations are by no means exhausted, but I submit that
certain facts have to be made clear to the French sooner or
later, one of which is that, as things are now, we expect from
them a loyal adherence to the provisions of the paragraph above
quoted.
5.- An enquiry in May, as suggested by M. Laronce,
will not be worth much, as the owners will, upon their arrival
at Sur, be interviewed by a French agent, and instructed as to
what