'File 13/3 Arms Traffic' [‎146v] (292/608)

authorised to urge Shaikh Mubarak to seize them and deliver them for the time
being to your custody. Under such circumstances, His Majesty’s Government
undertake to support the Shaikh in the event of any unpleasantness with the
French and will be prepared to consider the expediency of paying the Shaikh
compensation for their value, or of handing the arms over to him, after a time when
there is no risk of their passing back into the hands of dealers. Should Shaikh
object to hand them to you as Government suggest, you might make some
effective arrangement with him, under which he will deposit them in some special
place to which he will allow you friendly access, and will give you written
undertaking not to let them go out of such custody, except in agreement with
you, the object being to prevent their getting back to dealers. Supposing the
arms were not landed, I advise action as follows :—Presumably the arms were
not manifested. Should the Nakhuda allege that the consignment was for
Turkish territory, Shaikh would explain that he believed import of arms into
Turkey was ordinarily prohibited, and that the circumstances of this case were
sufficiently suspicious to oblige him to detain the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. and arms, pending
production by the Nakhuda of a permit from the VVali of Basrah to import them.
Should arms not have been fraudulently landed and should Nakhuda admit or
should there be evidence to prove that the consignment was for some Persian or
Arab port, covered by existing prohibitions, arms and dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. should be detained
pending further telegraphic reference to me as to disposal. Shaikh should take
any action he sees fit in regard to the treatment of Nakhuda Muhammad Saleh.
In any case report action finally taken by wire.
Telegram, dated 23rd May 1910.
From— Captain Shakespear, 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. , Kuwait,
To—The Resident, Bushire.
Your telegram 29th April. Interviewed Shaikh Sunday, and found arms
been landed dunng Friday—Saturday night, and delivery taken by Goguyer’s local
Agent, a Kuwaiti. Shaikh avers this done contravention of his express orders,
but from independent source hear that accepted 120 rifles for himself and
only usual duty levied. Landing against Shaikh’s orders if real, would be
impossible. Urged Shaikh therefore in sense first part only of your tele
gram, but he pretends much anxiety from Maskat Nakhuda’s threats of
reporting to French Consul. Said he would write officially to me and like
official reply requesting him to confiscate arms and lodge them in the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
No letter yet received 3 P.M. Monday and do not think Shaikh intends running
straight. Presume your telegram does not authorise official letter of description
suggested, but if Shaikh addresses me, 1 could frame answer saying in view of
Shaikh’s manifest intention to assist Government, and his old proclamation, am
walling to receive arms in Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. for safe custody, and assure Shaikh of British
Government’s support in laudable endeavour to suppress traffic. If you approve
please wire as man will await answer at Fao. Consignment was 400 rifles and
unknown amount ammunition evidently trial trip. Shaikh said he would
apprehend Muhammad Saleh but consider even this doubtful.
Telegram No. 441, dated the 3rd May 1910.
From-LlEUTENANT-COLONEL P. Z. Cox, C.S I., C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, 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. , Kuwait.
. Your 223-3. This consignment having according to the Shaikh's personal
intimation to you, been illicitly imported in contravention of his prohibition, and in
defiance of his orders, it is clearly most important to himself and to us in the
interests of the suppression of the traffic, that he should vigorously enforce his
prohibition by such action as will deter others. Sound Shaikh first as to
whether on the strength of a letter to you on the terms you suggest, he is ready
to confiscate the arms and let you have temporary custody of them. If so, well
and good. If not, then in order to ensure confiscation and custody, there is no