The Yale expositor., 1911-06-01

scheme Rifles by the thousand began to arrive
at Muscat from Europe and the Sultan by impos-
ing six per cent. duty on all imports anu eA
ports of arms etc, saw his income increasing py
leans and bounds. The traders sent their agents
to Muscat and arranged for the arms to be con
viewed In dhows across the Gulf of Oman to FER
STA while parties of Afghans came down 10 the
Mekran coast collected camels and transported
the arms northward to their own country
This treaty Of 1864 is thus the secret OF the
whole of the trouble Efforts were made at the
1sOs-9 International Arms Traffic convention held
at Brussels to induce the French government 10
annul the treaty, but In vain. The result is that
the British East Indies squadron had 10 De
strengthened and a rigorous blockade Of the
Gulf of Oman established involving great ex-
pense to both British and Indian governments
Gould this ffty-year-od treaty be annuled, the
British warshps would prevent arms being land
ed at Muscat and the whole gunrunning business
would collapse.
Steamers of many nationalities land arms at
Muscat, where they are stored until the gunTun-
ming season begins. This lasts from December
to April, the heat at other times being oppres-
sive Caravans only travel when food ana
water is obtanable for the camels.
Some of the arms conveyed to Matarah,
mort about three miles from Muscat. At these
two ports dhows laden with arms under
cover of night and leave whenever opportunity
offers BY keeping within three miles or the
Arabian coast a dhow Is free from capture, but
outside that limit the nakoda (captain) cannot
say q word II his rifles ara connscateu anu MS
vessel sunk by British manof-war. Sonar ls
another depot for arms, and is supplied from
Muscat Three courses are open to dhoWs
1 To make a bold dash from Muscat to Per-
sin This is dangerous, involving a long passage
mart of which must ssairly be In daylight.
Q To hug the coast to the westward and with
a favorable breeze to negotiate the thirty miles
or SO across a dark night
2 To creep along the coast to the south, using
Karyat as a jumping-of place. dhow would
then steer for Karach and at the approach OF
night would alter course and make straight ror
the vicinity OF Givadar.
The blockadng squadron consists or H. NJ
ships Fox Philome Proserpine, Perseus Alert
Odin Sphinx Redbreast and Espegle and IL
called the Persian Gulf division. In addition there
are seven steam launches hired from the British
India Steamship company by the India govern
n,ent and armed These launches are omceree
and partly manned by tn royal navy. or course
this squadron cannot be maintained In the gul
at full strength anything like it, as ships mus
periodicaIly reft and the recuperate a
BOMBAY or Colombo. The organization OF tn
blockade is in the hands of Capt. A. T. Hunt o
the Fox whose ability in coping with the tram
has obtained q double reward-an admiralty e'
tension of his appointment and the execratiop
of the bafTed trades Of Kabul.
The system of intelligence which has been o
ganized is nearly perfect. The wireless static
Of Task transmits to the Fox news of the depar
ure Of dbows from Muscat and also any informs
tion regarding the presence of Afghan caravan
mr. the landing Of arms the Persian coast "a
tain Hunt disposes his available vessels alor
The Mekran coast according to the needs OF Il
,nouent Ships cutters and pinnaces. armt
with maxim guns, are sent away In charge
oBcers and lie In near likely landing place
They are provisioned for about fortnight al