'14/115 I Abu Musa and Tamb. 1903-1904.' [‎113r] (234/292)

{Received on the 25th July 1904, under cover of Britannic Majesty'*
Tehran, No, 33, dated
No. 111.
Mt Lord,
XX X
X X X
X X
X
Gtjlahbk ;
June
—,— ■ ii'i %a ' i : .-i i ' ■' ■■■-— ——. — 1 '■ 11 1 11 '
In the course of our conversation the Ain-ed-Uowleh referred to our insist
ence upon the removal of the Persian flag from Tamb and Abu Musa as a
discouraging indication that we on our side were not as considerate to Persia
as he could wish, or to her interests in the Gulf, and seemed indeed to attach
more importance to the interests of a petty Arab Sheikh than to the friendship
of the Shah. He suggested that, pending the discussion and decision of the
question of ownership, the Arab flags should not be re-hoisted on the islands.
1 need not repeat the obvious arguments with which I replied to this conten
tion, and explained the impossibility of complying with His Highness' last
suggestion about the flags. I said however that I would report his remarks
to Your Lordship, and that I felt sure that you would listen attentively to any
reasons he might advance in support of his claim to the two islets, but I
reminded him that any controversy on this subject might re-open the question
of the ownership of Sirri, whose occupation by the Persians had only been
tacitly, and never formally recognised by ourselves.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect.
Mi Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
(Sd.) A. H. HARDINGE.
The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G.,
etc., etc., etc,.
Foreign Office.