'14/115 IV B. 7. Abu Musa' [‎69r] (146/571)

31
ascertained with the help of a British man-of-war and apparently in the presence
of a British Consul, the British Government is now, or will be shortly in
possession of detailed information with regard thereto, I have the honour to
express the hope that Your Excellency will communicate in the same open
way to the German Government the papers in possession of the British Govern
ment.
I have, etc.,
(Signed) STUMM.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Complaint of the German Firm R. Wonokhaus and Co. against the Sheikh
of Shargah.
According to papers, copies of which are in possession of the German
Government, Salem -bin-Sultan, uncle of the ruling Sheikh of Shargah (Segger-
bin-Chalid) is the owner of iron oxide mines on the island of Abu Musa in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , which appears to be included in the territory of the Sheikh
of Shargah.
In 1898 Salem -bin-Sultan by a document (Inclosure 1) leased his iron
oxide mines on Abu Musa for a fixed yearly rent to a Company consisting of
three British subjects, of whom a certain Hadschi Hassan-ben-All Samaye, as
the eldest, conducted the affairs of the lessors.
In 1899 the Company, consisting of the three lessors, admitted the reigning
Sheikh of Shargah (Segger-bin-Chalid) into the Company, so that ike Company
of lessors now consisted of four persons with equal "ghts therein The Sheikh
soon transferred his share to another person, Jussuf-bm-Abdullah. The latter
sold his share subsequently to Hadschi Hassan -b in- All Samaye, the^above-
mentioned managing partner of the Company The latter sold share in
October 19^7 to the British 8ub3ect Mr. Thomas Brown, of Lingah, and a
few days later he (Mr. Brown) sold the share to the German firm K. Wonckhaus
and Co., of Lingah (Inclosures 4 a to 4 a). These documents are attached to
the last sheet of the original of the lease.
The Company of lessors, therefore, consists apparently to-day of three
British subjects and the German firm R. W5nckhaus and Co.
The lease of the Company appears to be legally constituted ; this wat
recognized by the reigning Sheikh of Shargah, since he himself was for a time
a partner in the Company. .
It appears, therefore, that an absolutely legitimate commercial business
is concerned. , . , j .- *
In the last few months the Sheikh has addressed to the above-mentioned
British subject Hadsohi Hassan-bin-Ali Samaye, the managing partner,
several communications (Inclosures 12. 16, 21,22) of which the last is said to
have been handed to Samaye in the presence of the British Consular Agent
st Lingah. In these communications he demanded that the working of t e
mines at Abu Musa should be stopped. ... . ,
Further, in October 1907 the Sheikh sent armed men to the island, who
forcibly expelled the miners and prevented the mines being worked.
To boats with the Sheikh's armed men were towed to Abu Musa by the
British m^of war " Lapwing," on board of which h said to have been
Lieutenant C. H. Gabriel, British Consul at Bander Abba •
When a few days later, after the departure of the
ih* -Rritish subiect, Mr. Thomas Brown, in the employment ot the Uerman
firm R wLckhaus who are partners in the Company, and later another
emnlove said to be a German, of the same house approached the island in
order uTland there, they were compelled to return by shots from the Sheikhs
armed men. . . . u
By the forcible measures and the apparently m every res I' ec l1 ^