'Selection from Correspondence Relative to the Traffic in Arms in the Persian Gulf, 1897-98. Part II' [‎33r] (11/52)

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.