'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part II' [33r] (11/52)
The record is made up of 1 file (26 folios). It was created in 26 Oct 1898. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
I l.l —
53
. for
arms into
steadily on
extracts of
five years,
ill be seen
arms and
ose from
Be had not
>uld invite
in lettersf
Majesty’s
•ather that
;e importa-
rsian Gulf,
the same
ent had in
y enforced
nivance of
led yearly
etween the
s based on
ie duty on
ice of the
rely on his
that their
svill of the
^ a much
to pay on
The traffic
b and the
reaped a
nk at the
re-enforce
of Persia,
but they
> the local
cover any
i attitude.
, told me
to believe
grain and
xoney, but
trade, and
lything in
cartridges
grown-up
lem. The
obtaining
have no
it leaders,
influence
hey have,
L ong their
54
5. The policy of the Persian Government in not enforcing their own
prohibition has been very short-sighted. The trade routes to the interior were
closed for a time in 1896 after the death of the late Shah, and may be so
again at any time. Bushire and other important trade centres are also
constantly, more or less, in peril, as long as a large armed population is
allowed to exist close to them; and, apart from these dangers to trade, there
is the possibility of grave political peril to Persian rule, which is very weak
in the outlying parts of the empire, and would easily be overturned, at any
rate for a time, should a general combination take place among these
predatory tribes. Fortunately there are jealousies and dissensions"amona-
themselves, and these enable the Persians to hold their own at present; but
the time may come when they will be temporarily laid aside, and, if’ that
happens, the Persians may find it difficult to regain their power.
6. While the continuation of the arms traffic affects the Persian and
other States bordering the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
in a directly vital way, there can be
no doubt that its suppression is equally important to legitimate British trade,
for the extension of which a firm Government and security to life and
property are essential. Our trade with these parts has increased enormously
of late years, and will go on increasing if the merchant can be certain that
his goods will reach their destination in safety; but trade routes are delicate
plants to foster, and easily destroyed, and once those into Persia are forsaken
in consequence of want of suitable protection, it may be years before they
can be re-opened. J
7. It appeared to me, therefore, very soon after I took over charge from
Colonel Wilson in June last, that we ought to advise the Persian Govern
ment to enforce their regulations, and I addressed the Legation to this effect,
* No. 90, dated 4th September 1897. ^ le ^ er * note(i in the margin.
Becent events have unfortunately borne
out what I then wrote, as there has been much violent crime in and around
Bushire itself, as well as on the routes leading to the mainland. I believe
the present condition of affairs has its origin in political struggles between
ocai leading men, but the extent to which the disorders have gone must
undoubtedly be attributed in a great measure to the arming of the Tungus-
tams, and other tribes in Persia, who are now more than a match for the
ill-armed and inefficient Persian soldiers.
S. The local objections to this traffic are, I think, therefore quite sufficient
to jusbty the Persian Government in endeavouring to put an end to it and
m justifying us m supporting their efforts as far as British firms are’con
cerned. There arose, however, last year a still stronger ground for our
discouraging the traffic. It was found that the tribes on the north frontier
of India are armed with rifles, and there was reason to think that thev
were brought by sea to the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
, and thence carried overland to
Afghanistan, and so on to the tribes with whom we have, lately been
engaged m hostilities. I received secret instructions early in October from
the Indian Foreign Office, informing me that information was required
regarding suspected consignments of arms to Afghanistan via Persia, Bunder
Abbas being mentioned as the probable port of disembarkation of cargoes.
oJohf enCed + in( i uiri 1 es iQ the Gulf and at Muscat, hut on the 26th
Ot tober was told that no further action was to be taken, and I, of course, in
that as^r 6 ^ 11 ! ? !f° P t0 inquiries 1 bad sorted. I would here note
^ at as tar a^ I had gone there was nothing definite to show that arms
suspicion th^t k thp t0 + T UOr f tll ' west frontier, though there was considerable
the P purpose h ^ r ° m Bunder Abbas was bein S employed for
here SykeS} tbe Consul for Kerman, arrived
here, and informed me that he had been specially deputed bv the Home
to aSThfin ^d^^Vn 0 ^ armS trade * He brought me instructions
un the Gulf wfnVfi • S ° d m . e Giat be bad received information on his way
P e hemp* tnkpn fh hlS °P imon > strongiy supported the theory that arms
Avere being taken to the
north-west frontier
Region of British India bordering Afghanistan.
of India.
About this item
- Content
This file contains a selection of correspondence and enclosures compiled by the 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. Political and Secret Department relating to arms traffic in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. from 1897-98.
Correspondents include: the 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. and Consul at Maskat [Muscat], the 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. , the Foreign Office, the Viceroy of India, the Board of Customs, the Consul-General for Fars, the Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran, the 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. , the Government of India, the Secretary of State for India, and various British merchant companies.
The following topics are discussed:
- the seizure of arms on board SS Baluchistan ;
- an assessment of the current situation regarding arms traffic and steps recently taken for its suppression;
- British and Persian firms engaged in the arms trade;
- the confiscation of arms at Bushire;
- Persian prohibition, and British interests in coming to agreement with the Persian Government and assisting in enforcing Persian regulations;
- methods of trade;
- policy for the future;
- the registration of arms and ammunition;
- the case of Fracis Times & Co. v. The Sea Insurance Company (Limited)
It contains three letters in French.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (26 folios)
- Arrangement
This file consists of a single document with re-printed correspondence arranged chronologically.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 28, and terminates at f 53, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/C87/2
- Title
- 'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part II'
- Pages
- 28r:31v, 32v:35v, 36v:37r, 38v, 40r, 41r:42v, 44r:44v, 46r:46v, 47v:51v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence