File 1265/1907 ‘Persian Gulf:- Wireless Stations' [‎97r] (202/434)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
s<i r India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , June 15, 1910.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to enclose, for the information
of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of correspondence on the subject of
temporary installations of wireless telegraphy for the purpose of coping more
effectively with the arms traffic at Bushire, Bahrein, and Debai.
The correspondence, it will be seen, is at present incomplete, and Viscount Morley
is not yet convinced of the necessity of providing installations which cannot in any
case be in working order before the lapse of a considerable time, when the naval
blockade may be nearing its completion or the general position as regards the arms
traffic have undergone a change. He would, however, be glad to learn at once if
Secretary Sir E. Grey sees any objection to erecting the installations should it be
thought expedient to do so.
I am further to observe that, though the installations at the places named are
intended as temporary only, and might be removed when no longer required for the
purposes of the arms traffic, it may hereafter be found advisable, if they are now
decided on, to retain them permanently for commercial and general purposes in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In that event. Lord Morley would propose to prefer a claim upon the
British Government for half the cost, in accordance with the terms of the letter of the
Lords Commissioners of His Majesty s Treasury to tue Foreign Office, dated the 29th
September, 1909.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to enclose, for the information
of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, copy of telegraphic correspondence with
the Government of India on the subject of temporary wireless installations for the
purpose of coping with the arms traffic at Bushire, Bahrein, and Debai.
It will be seen that an enquiry has been made of the Government of India in
connection with the expenditure that this proposal would involve, and, pending
receipt of their reply, Viscount Morley would be glad to learn whether the Lords
Commissioners would be able to give their assistance, if required, by supplying at
once three sets of the apparatus, and, if so, what the cost of the sets would be.
He would also be glad to receive any further observations of the Lords
Commissioners on the subject.
Copy of a letter addressed to the Foreign Office is enclosed.
TEMPORARY wireless installations. See your telegram dated the 3rd June.
It will in any case be some months before apparatus can be working, and expense is
great. Please state whether, in your opinion, effectiveness of installations is likely to
be such as to make it probable that economy will be effected in other ways, e.g., by
ARMS TRAFFIC.
[June 16.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 1.
[21495]
No. 1.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to Foreign Office.—(Received June 16.)
R. RITCHIE.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to Admiralty.
Sir.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , June 15, 1910.
I am, &c.
R. RITCHIE.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Viscount Morley to Government of India,
(Telegraphic.) P.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , June 14, 1910.
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