The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-07-06

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 and ex-
ports OF arms, etc. saw his income increasing by
leaps and bounds. The traders sent their agents
TO Muscat and arranged for tho arms to be con
yeyed in dhows across the Gulf OF Oman TO Per
STA, while parties of Afghans came down TO 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
190S-9 international Arms Traffic convention held
at Brussels to induce the French government to
annul the treaty. but in vain. The result Is that
the British East Indies squadron had to be
strengthened and rigorous blockade OF the
Gulf OF Oman established involving great
pense to both British and Indian governments.
Could this hftyyearold treaty be annued, the
British warships would prevent arms being land
ed at Muscat and the whole gun.runnIng business
would collapse
Steamers OF many natlonalites land arms at
Muscai, where they are stored until the gun-run-
ming season" begins. This lasts from December
TO April. the heat at other times being oppres-
sive. Caravans only travel when food and
water is obtanable for the camels
Some OF the arms conveyed TO Matarah, a
port 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 OF the
Arabian coast dhow Is free from capture, but
outside that limit the nakoda (captain) cannot
say a word II his rifles couhscated and his
vessel sunk by British man-ofwar. Sonar Is
another depot for arms, and is supplied from
Muscat. Three courses open to dhows.
l. To make a bold dash from Muscat to Per
sia This is dangerous involving a long passage,
part Of which must nece ssairy be in daylight.
@ To hug the coast TO the westward and with
favorable breeze to negotiate the thirty miles
or no across a dark night
g. To creep along the coast to the south, using
Karyat as q jumpingon place. A dhow would
then steer for Karachl, and at the approach OF
night would alter course and make straight for
the vicinity OF Gyadar.
The blockadng squadron consists OF II. NJ.
ships Fox Phnome Proserpine. Perseus Alert,
Odn, Sphinx, Redbreast and Espegle and Is
called the Persian Gulf division. In addition there
are seven steam launches hired from the British
India Steamship company by the India govern
ment and armed. These launches are oficered
aud partly manned by the royal navy, OF course
this squadron cannot be maintained In the gulf
at full strength anything like It, as ships must
periodically reht and the crews reouperate at
Bombay or Colombo. The organization of the
blockade ia in the hands Of Capt A. T. Hunt Of
tho Fox, whose ability in coping with the traffic
has obtained double reward-an admiralty ex
tension OF his appointment and the eNecrationi
OF the bafIled trades OF Kabu
The system of intelligence which has been or
ganized is nearly perfect The wireless statlor
at Jask transmits to the Fox of the depart
ure OF dhows from Muscat and also any informa
ton regarding the presence Of Afghan caravans
or the landing OF arms on the Persian coast Cap
tain Hunt dsposes his available vessels alonI
the Mekran coast according 10 the needs Of tn,
moment Ships cutters and pinnaces, armeC
with maxim guns, sent away in charge o
officers and lie in likely landing places
They provisioned for about fortnight anC