'14/115 VIII B 17 Abu Musa Red Oxide' [‎114v] (239/521)

iden,
2
another meeting, at which a representative of that Department would be asked to be
present, took place.
The proposal was accordingly discussed unofficially with Mr. Shuckburgh and it
was decided that the suggested grant of a concession to Messrs. Wonckhaus and its
sale by them would introduce an unnecessary complication into - the negotiations and
that it would accordingly be preferable to pay to the firm a lump sum on the basis of
point d of the British proposal for a compromise, which the firm should accept in full
discharge of their claim under that head and in final extinction of any rights which
they may have acquired in respect of Abu Musa oxide either under their contract with ~\
Hassan bamaiya or by any other transaction whatsoever.
It was thought that a considerable part, at least, of the sum required might be
derived from the proceeds of the sale of a new concession to a British firm.
At a second meeting, held at this Office on the 12th instant, at which, in addition
to the four persons who attended the first, Mr. Shuckburgh was present, this proposal
was submitted to the Germans and at once accepted by them.
They were then informed that the figures presented by Messrs. Wonckhaus in
connection with their claim would probably have to be submitted to some impartial
tribunal, to which Mr. Brown raised no objection.
Mr. Brown undertook to furnish the necessary details within a week or two and I
am to state that, when these aie received, Sir E. Grey would propose, subject to '
Lord Crew s concurrence, to submit them in the first instance to the Board of Trade
The question of the tribunal to which the decision of the amount to be paid is to
be' referred, should that course prove necessary, would appear to be one which cau
conveniently be considered later.
I am, &c.
EYRE A. CROWE.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Statement made Mr. Brown.—{Communicated by German Charne d'Aifaires
September 16, 1913.) ;
W E propose to settle the case as follows :—
1. That our direct losses be refunded to us.
ihese have been stated in our last memorandum.
Where we have not mentioned the sum, we suggest to appoint arbitrators both
parties agreeing to abide by their decision.
2. That the Sheikh will ^rant us a new concession for a period of six years on the
terms of the original one. AVe, on the one hand, agree to sell through His Majesty's
Government to the Sheikh or any other suitable person or persons, and you, on the
other, agroe to buy this concession from us at the price which we bought in our
original contract, viz. 155. Quantity, 6,000 tons per annum.
This, in our opinion, is an exceedingly fair proposal. When the Sheikh withdrew
the concession, he gave as the principal reason that we were getting the oxide too
cheap. If we sell to him at this admittedly cheap price of 15s., he ought to be doino-
a good business.
Whether the Sheikh is wealthy enough to pay the sum of Z. we do not know
but the deposits of oxide in the island being practically unlimited, we presume that
the mines would provide ample security for a loan, that the Sheikh might make on the
strength of same.