‘Précis of correspondence relating to Zanzibar affairs from 1856 to 1872. Prepared by Captain P D Henderson, attached to the Foreign Department’ [‎108r] (55/114)

47
Proceedings subsequent to the arbitration relating to the question of the subsidy-
Canning inapplicable, His Excellency in Council is clearly of opinion that, under the circum
stances which now exist, the subsidy has not ceased to be legally payable according to the
"^rms of the arbitration.
" The question how far the faith of the British Government in India is pledged to enforce
ment of the subsidy by the Sultan of Zanzibar, as stated in paragraph 6 of the Secretary
Itate^s despatch, does not present itself to His Excellency in Council exactly in the form
ested in paragraph 7. The Secretary of State intimates that the question will arise as to
.scherthe Government would be justified in refusing to allow the Sultan of Zanzibar to get
i of his liability to pay the subsidy by war. It is probable, however, that, if British compul-
ion were removed, the Sultan of Zanzibar would simply cease paying the subsidy, and the
question which the Government would have to decide would be whether they would be justified
in refusing to the Sultan of Muscat the opportunity of enforcing his rights by war. His
Excellency in Council is of opinion that in such a refusal the Government would not be justified.
In connection with this subject, I am directed to draw attention to a letter No. 523 of 20th
November last, from the Acting Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Muscat, herewith enclosed.
" As regards the second of the two questions stated by the Secretary of State in his
6th paragraph, namely, how far we have any political interest in desiring that the subsidy
should continue to be paid, it appears to His Excellency in Council that the same reasons
whfch existed when the arrangement was made exist now, and, therefore, as a matter of
policy, the payment of the subsidy to Muscat ought to be continued.
rf The question bhen arises whether we ought to take this payment on ourselves. In his
paragraph 9 th^ Secretary of State suggests that by doing so we might secure adequate
ad vantage'on the side both of Zanzibar and Muscat to compensate us for the sacrifice. He
ad^s^hat the payment, if assumed by us, would be a charge on the Indian revenues.
" The advantage to be gained as regards Zanzibar is certain concessions in respect to the
e trade to which Her Majesty's Government attach a high value. But it appears to
Excellency in Council that this is so clearly an object of imperial interest that the
■nues of India could not be justly charged with any payment in order to secure it, and
ii.s Excellency in Council would add that he believes this is the first time that a proposition
has been made to burden the Indian revenues for such an object.
" On the side of Muscat the Secretary of State intimates that we might obtain
Important conditions as regards the peace and security of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , which would
amount to an equivalent of the money expended. His Excellency in Council would, however,
Observe that we obtain these conditions already by treaty, and he does not see what further
. oncessions could be obtained from Muscat in this direction which we do not possess already.
■*"*1 is argued that beyond the conditions referred to the payment of the subsidy to Muscat
'ould be "advantageous to India by preventing serious complications in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , His
Excellency in Council believes that the same amount might be expended much more advan-
' ovously by placing at the disposal of the Government a force sufficient to ensure that the
listing treaty should be observed, and to prevent any complications arising that may disturb
t peace in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
" Reviewing the whole circumstances. His Excellency in Council does not hesitate to
iress the opinion that it is undesirable that the existing relations between Zanzibar and
y • .iscat should be disturbed."
In the letter referred to in paragraph 9 of this despatch, the Political
A^nt, Muscat, had dwelt on the extreme and immediate probability of an
expedition being directed by the people ot IVIuscat against Zanzibar, it
would, he was told, be so popular that 50,000 men could readily be collected
to take part in it.
Ho
o f -»i
45. Reply op Government op India dissenting pugm views of
Government .—The Government of India then wrote to the Secretary
i ate, No. 100, dated 20th March 1869, saying—
n adopt, in their entirety, the arguments set forth by the Bombay ^Government, and
nly desire to add a few remarks of our own.