811.248/720
The Officer in Chargé at New Delhi (Merrell) to the Secretary of State
No. 26
New Delhi, August 23,
1942.
[Received September 14, 1942.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram
No. 373 of June 15, 1942, 5 p.m.,1 in which I repeated a telegram sent to the Legation
at Cairo on June 9, 1942, reporting that the Secretary to the Government
of India in the External Affairs Department had suggested informally the
advisability of the Government of the United States making diplomatic
arrangements with the Sultan of Muscat for facilities to be availed of
in Muscat by the American Ferry Command. It was reported that, according
to the Secretary, the Sultan, who had in the past been aloof and easily
offended in his dealings with the British, was being cooperative and
that for that reason … any American personnel sent there should be
carefully chosen. This was particularly true with respect to Salalah
where the Sultan was in summer residence, a retreat where he had in the
past often sought refuge from the British.
In my telegram No. 379 of July [June] 16, 1942, 9
p.m.,1 I reported
further information received from the Secretary to the effect that the
Sultan was concerned with the unheralded arrival at Salalah of four
employees of the Pan American Airways who stated they had come to make
the necessary arrangements for ground facilities. A copy of a
self-explanatory aide-mémoire on the subject of
June 13, 1942, handed me by the Joint Secretary in the External Affairs
Department is enclosed.
In compliance with the instructions contained in the Department’s
telegram No. 321 of July 3, 1942,1 I asked the Secretary whether the Government of
India would be willing to instruct the British Representative in Muscat
to approach the Sultan in this connection on behalf of the American
Government. After several days I received an affirmative answer and
addressed a note to the Secretary on July 8, 1942, expressing the desire
of obtaining the Sultan’s approval of facilities for the United States
Army similar to those already accorded
[Page 532]
to the British, including the use of airfields in
Muscat by planes under the jurisdiction of the United States Army and
the landing of personnel, both military and civil, required to service
the planes, to establish and operate radio and weather stations. A copy
of this note is enclosed.
As reported in my telegram No. 514 of July 25, 1942, 1 p.m.,2 there was some delay on the
part of the Government of India in forwarding the instructions to the
British Representative in Muscat due to the necessity of consulting with
the British military authorities in Cairo regarding the radio and
weather reporting facilities requested. Difficulty was also experienced
in obtaining air transportation for the British Political Agent from
Muscat to Salalah. Ordinarily only a very junior assistant political
agent is kept at Salalah.
However, I have now received a note dated August 21, 1942, from the Joint
Secretary describing the results of the Political Agent’s discussions
and correspondence with His Highness the Sultan, and giving the Joint
Secretary’s helpful comments and offer of assistance. A copy of this
communication is transmitted herewith. As the Department will note, His
Highness has agreed to the facilities requested but has made five
conditions upon which their granting is contingent. The Joint Secretary
believes these conditions are usual and reasonable and states that the
British Political Agent and Assistant Political Agent would, if the
Department so desires, be responsible for the conduct of American
personnel as they are for that of Royal Air Force.
It is respectfully requested that Department instruct me by telegraph as
to whether the Sultan’s conditions are acceptable. Meanwhile it is
understood that there will be no difficulty in obtaining the necessary
facilities in Muscat on a provisional basis.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure 1]
The Joint Secretary to the Government of India in
the External Affairs Department (Weightman) to the American Officer in Chargé at New Delhi (Merrell)
Aide-Mémoire
On the 6th of June 1942 Mr. Merrell was informed that the Government
of India had received intimation that the U. S. Ferry Command
intended to establish staging parties at aerodromes in Muscat
territory on the Southern Arabian air route, i. e. at Salalah,
Ras-al-Hadd,
[Page 533]
and possibly
Masirah. Mention was made of the treaty relations that exist between
the U. S. Government and the Sultan of Muscat3 and it was suggested
that it would be well to arrange that before U. S. base troops were
sent to aerodromes in Muscat territory the U. S. Government should
seek His Highness the Sultan’s formal consent. It was explained that
so far as the British Government was concerned the prior consent of
His Highness the Sultan was obtained to the construction of
aerodromes, the operation of aircraft from them and the location of
ground personnel to maintain and protect them. It is understood that
Mr. Merrell has addressed the State Department accordingly.
- 2.
- Information has now been received from Salalah that four Pan
American Airways personnel have arrived there stating that they
have come to establish a staging post for a P. A. A. service
between Khartoum and Karachi, that more of their men are
expected within a few days with wireless equipment, that they
expect to carry private passengers if bookings of Government
priority passages permit this, and that they wish to negotiate
with the Sultan of Muscat for a camping site, local labour and
supply of provisions.
- 3.
- The report suggest that the Sultan of Muscat is concerned at
the unheralded arrival of this personnel and at the moment
insists that the men should “undertake to be associated with the
Royal Air Force and to be bound by his rules for the Royal Air
Force”.
- 4.
- The statement made by the Pan American Airways personnel at
Salalah in regard to the intention of the Company to carry
private passengers if bookings of Government priority passages
permit is at variance with the assurance given by Colonel Louis
Johnson4 at the meeting
held in the External Affairs Department on the 27th April, 1942
to the effect that P. A. A. come under complete military
ownership and control and that its operations are determined
absolutely by the War Department, and that nothing now done will
have or is intended to have any effect in establishing
commercial rights.
[File copy not signed]
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
New Delhi,
13 June
1942.
[Enclosure 2]
The American Officer in Chargé at New Delhi
(Merrell) to the Joint Secretary
to the Government of India in the External Affairs
Department (Weightman)
No. 20
New Delhi, July 8,
1942.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to
conversations held recently at the Foreign Office regarding the use
by planes and personnel under the jurisdiction of the United States
Army of airfields at Salalah, Ras-al-Hadd and Masirah, Muscat, and
to the Joint Secretary’s aide-mémoire on this
subject of June 6 [13], 1942.
I have the further honor to inform you that I have now been directed
by my Government to request the Government of India to be good
enough to instruct the British Representative in Muscat to approach
His Highness the Sultan of Muscat in this matter on behalf of the
Government of the United States. The desire of my Government would
be to obtain His Highness’ approval of facilities for the United
States Army similar to those already accorded to the British,
including the use of airfields in Muscat by planes under the
jurisdiction of the United States Army and the landing of the
minimum personnel, both military and civil, required to service the
planes, to establish and operate weather and radio stations.
The information relative to the new service as obtained from the
American War Department which follows is submitted in order that it
may be utilized in forwarding instructions to the Representative of
Great Britain:
Brigadier General S. W. Fitzgerald, United States Army, has been
designated to take command of ferry operations in the Middle East
and Africa and will have under his supervision and direct control
the operations of the Pan American Airways in these areas. The
proposed service is considered highly desirable in connection with
the transportation of essential military cargo to Karachi, the
ferrying of transport planes and the return of ferry pilots.
According to a contractual arrangement with the American War
Department, the Pan American Airways will operate flights from
Khartoum to Karachi transporting war material and military
personnel. In cases where space is available, however, after the
essential military requirements have been met, it is desired that
the planes be allowed to carry any non official passengers whose
travel has been designated as urgently necessary by United States
representatives in the region.
[Page 535]
In taking up this matter with the Government of India, I am
instructed to lay particular emphasis on the importance of this new
service to India’s defense.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure 3]
The Joint Secretary to the Government of India in
the External Affairs Department (Weightman) to the American Officer in Chargé at New Delhi (Merrell)
No. 7195–X/42
New Delhi, 21 August
1942.
Sir: I am directed to refer to your letter
No. 20 dated the 8th July, 1942, in regard to the matter of
facilities required for the United States Army Air Force in the
territories of His Highness the Sultan of Muscat similar to those
accorded to the R. A. F. A report has now been received from His
Britannic Majesty’s Political Agent in Muscat regarding the result
of his discussions and correspondence with His Highness the Sultan
and I am to state the position achieved for your information.
2. His Highness the Sultan has agreed to grant to the Government of
the United States for the United States Army Airforce facilities
similar to those already accorded to the British Government,
including specifically the use of aerodromes in Muscat territory by
aircraft under the jurisdiction of the United States Army,
permission to erect buildings at Salalah, Masirah and Ras-al-Hadd
(including Khor Jarama) and to station formations of aircraft at
those places. Permission is also accorded to the landing of minimum
personnel required to service these aircraft and to the
establishment and operation of weather and radio stations, should it
be necessary for the United States Army Airforce to duplicate such
services already established and operated by the E. A. F. The
concessions accorded by His Highness include further the exemption
from customs duty of petrol and lubricants for United States of
America Army Airforce aircraft and of provisions, stores and
fittings imported into Muscat territory for the operation of those
aircraft.
3. The Sultan has however made the grant of these facilities subject
to certain conditions, which can best be stated in his own words.
The five conditions which he wishes to impose are:—
- (1)
- “Provided that it is made clear to us as on whom
responsibility will rest and who will reply to any question
that may arise regarding the conduct of American personnel,
etc.
- (2)
- The grant of sales in recognition of grant of these
facilities of
- (a)
- 200 rifles and 200,000 rounds of
ammunition,
- (b)
- 2 machine guns with spare parts and sufficient
ammunition,
- (c)
- 4 hand machine guns with spare parts and
sufficient ammunition,
- (d)
- Two motor lorries of medium size which are used by
military men,
- (e)
- Such medical supplies as may be considered
reasonable by our friend the British
Government.
- (3)
- An undertaking that compensation will be paid for any
damage caused by American personnel or aircraft to our
property or the persons or property of our subjects.
- (4)
- An undertaking that American personnel will accept and
abide by all our local rules as they are or may be made for
their behaviour particularly those regarding the posting of
guards for their camp and personnel.
- (5)
- An undertaking that guards of American Camp and personnel
supplied by us will be accepted and paid for.”
It would perhaps be well to add some comment on these conditions in
the light of experience gained by the Government of India in their
relations with the Sultan of Muscat.
4. In regard to condition (1), it is an unfortunate fact that the
Sultan’s inherent suspicions of foreigners have been reinforced by
certain conduct to which His Highness has taken exception on the
part of Pan American Airways personnel who for a time were at
Salalah under insufficient supervision and control. The Political
Agent advises that His Highness attaches the greatest importance to
this condition and that it will be necessary to satisfy him fully in
regard to it. The Government of India will be happy to offer their
assistance in this matter and, if the Government of the United
States so desire, they will be prepared to give an assurance to the
Sultan that their Political Agent and Assistant Political Agent in
Muscat will act for the U. S. A. Army Airforce in exactly the same
manner as they do for the R. A. F. in their relations with the
Sultan.
Condition (2) is consistent with the customary practice of Arab
Rulers granting facilities in their States to foreign Powers, and
the Government of India do not doubt that the United States
Government will be content to meet His Highness the Sultan’s
requests. Should your Government desire to receive suggestions as to
the type and quantity of medical supplies which might be made
available to the Sultan the Government of India will be very ready
to call for a report from the Political Agent in the light of local
conditions and circumstances. It should be added here that on the
Political Agent pointing out that the provision of the arms, motor
vehicles and medical supplies for which the Sultan asks might
involve some delay, the Sultan informed him that he did not regard
their supply as being in any way a condition precedent to the grant
of the facilities required.
The third, fourth and fifth conditions will, it is assumed, not be
regarded as introducing any particular difficulty. The R. A. F. have
accepted certain local rules for their behaviour in Muscat territory
[Page 537]
and in regard to the
posting of guards for their camps and personnel, and these have not
been found onerous in practice. A copy of the standing orders for
personnel of the R. A. F. stationed on the Southern Arabian
Aerodromes in Muscat territory is enclosed for your
information.5
As for the fifth condition, the Political Agent, Muscat will be
instructed to use his influence to ensure that the Sultan will not
make unreasonable demands in respect of the number of local guards
to be employed or the pay which they are to receive.
5. I am to enquire whether His Highness the Sultan’s conditions are
acceptable to the Government of the United States and if so to
request your agreement to the Political Agent being instructed to
inform the Sultan accordingly.
I have [etc.]
