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'14/115 IV B. 7. Abu Musa' [‎62r] (132/571)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (281 folios). It was created in 6 Feb 1908-24 Nov 1908. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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17
the output for four years, with a preferential option to renew at the end of
that period. The terms of the transfer were such as to afford a considerable
margin of profit on the original concession.
The action of Hassan Samaiyeh was illegal because he did not hold a
power of attorney from both his junior partners, and was guilty of fraudulent
dealing in claiming to act for ihem both.
On learning that a contract had been concluded between Hassan Samaiyeh
and Messrs. Wonckhaus, the junior partner of the three original concessionnaires
lodged a protest with the Sheikh of Shargah, petitioning that the contract with
Mr. "Wonckhaus might be annulled.
Accordingly, in a letter dated the 21st February, 1907, the Sheikh of
Shargah informed Hassan Samaiyeh of this complaint; he added that he had
no right to grant such a monopoly to third parties without making any
reference to the territorial Ruler ; that such conduct was a violation of duty;
and that the continuance of the Concession in Hassan's hands was undesirable,
and that the original contract had therefore been terminated.
In reporting his action to Major Cox, the Sheikh said he was apprehen
sive of the results of the transfer, and had accordingly cancelled the original
Concession. He further requested that the Resident would consult the
Imperial Government and request their views as to the best means of assuring
to him in future the full benefits from the red oxide mines within his territory.
On the 21st May, 1907, the British Resident reported that the Sheikh had
taken active steps to prevent further mining operations, and that Messrs.
Strick, the British lessees of the Hormuz red oxide mines, seemed inclined
to commence negotiations with a view to the purchase of Abu Musa oxide.
The Government of India considered, however, that it was undesirable that the
rights of which Mr. Wonckhaus had been dispossessed should simultaneously
be transferred to Messrs. Strick, as such an arrangement might create a false
impression that the Sheikh's action had been inspired with a view to benefit
the British firm.
The Government of India were actuated, as appears from a letter
addressed to the British Resident on the 11th February, 1907, by the know
ledge that Abu Musa would form a convenient coaling station in the Persian
Gulf, and that it was undesirable to allow the Germans to acquire vested
interests, more especially in the form of a monopoly.
His Majesty's Government concurred in the views of the Government of
India that the-Sheikh should not be allowed to grant any monopoly in future,
and thi.t he should be advised to submit to the British Resident the draft of
any new contract into which he might propose to enter.
On the 21st August Messrs. Strick were requested, in vi^w of local
circumstances, to postpone, at any rate till the end of 1907, action on any
agreement which might be arrived at with the Sheikn in the matter.
On the 28th August the Government of India telegraphed that Hassan
Samaiyeh, acting as local manager for Mr. Wonckhaus, had reinforced his
miners and refused to stop mining operations, and that the Sheikh of Shargah
considered force would be necessary to oust him from the island. In these
circumstances the Sheikh asked that the Government of India would them
selves eject the culprit, being a British subject, or else advise what action
should be taken.
On the 10th October, a formal notice from the Sheikh of Shargah was
handed to Hnssan Samaiyeh, callins: upon him to cease forthwith from his
mining operations, and to remove himself, and his workmen, machinery, and
all instruments from the Island of Abu Musa within ten days. This notice
was accompanied by a verbal communication from the British Residents
representative, to the effect that if he failed to comply with the Sheikh s
demands the Sheikh would hnve the approval of His Majesty's Government
in ejecting Men, and would be supported in such forcible action as might be
require!.
The Sheikh showed some hesitation at the eleventh hour, owing to a
letter which he had received from Mr. Wonckhaus advising him to withdraw

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Content

Correspondence concerning Abu Musa island. Correspondence discusses British memorandum of 1908; the German case relating to their mining operations; the Persian claim to Abu Musa, Sirri and Tunb [Tumb]; the role of Hassan bin Samaiyah and the contract with the German company Wonckhaus. Corrrespondents include the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Frank C. Strick and Co.; German Consulate, Bandar Abbas; H.M. Consulate Bandar Abbas; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India; Khan Bakadur Abdur Latif [Khan Bahadur Abd al-Latif], Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent Sharjah; Khalid bin Ahmad, Sheikh of Sharjah.

Extent and format
1 volume (281 folios)
Arrangement

An index at the front of the file gives subjects covered by the file.

Physical characteristics

This volume has three foliation sequences. The first begins with the first letter and runs from number 1 through to number 55. There follows a gap of one folio, and then a second foliation sequence starts on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. side of what would have been number 56 in the first foliation sequence. This sequence is inconsistent in that it is paginated from number 56 up to number 109, where it then lapses back into foliation and runs through to number 332, the last typescript folio. The third and most recent foliation sequence begins on the first typescript folio, which is loose. It runs from number 1 through to number 281, which is the inside of the back cover. It should be noted that folio 60 in this sequence is followed by folio 60 A, which is then followed by number 61. The first foliation sequence is written in blue and red crayon, in the top right corner of each folio. The second foliation sequence (which contains some pagination) is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio (and in the top left corner of the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. side of those folios that are paginated). The third foliation sequence, which should be used for cataloguing, is written and circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'14/115 IV B. 7. Abu Musa' [‎62r] (132/571), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/256, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024060030.0x000085> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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