File 442/1907 'Persian Gulf: British and German shipping; German competition' [‎13r] (30/446)

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No. 1829 (Confidential), dated Bushire, the 23rd (received 31st) July 1911.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., 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. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To— The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel Si* Henry McMahon, K.C.I.E.,
C.S.I., Secretary to the Government of Inflia in the Foreign Department,
Simla.
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In continuation of my letter No. 1546, dated 9th June 1910, I have the
honour to submit for the information of the Government of India a copy of
Mr. Chick’s Report on German Trade and Shipping for the year ending October
1910, (the fourth year of the Hamburg-Amerika Company's operations), together
with a copy of my covering despatch to His Majesty’s Foreign Office.
No. 7 (Commercial), dated Bushire, the 23rd July 1911.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., 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. in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To— The Right Hon’ble Sir E. Grey, Bart., M.P., Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office, London.
I have the honour to submit a copy of the Report of my Commercial Adviser
and Vice-Consul Mr. H. G. Chick, on German Trade and shipping for the fourth
year of the Hamburg-Amerika Company’s sailings, ending October 1910.
His last report was forwarded with my covering despatch No. 4-Commercial,
dated 8th June 1910.
Two main facts, in a great measure dependent upon one another, stand out
prominently in the Report : —
(i) The marked progress attending German efforts to capture and control
the Sugar Trade to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
(ii) The important factor in their success represented by the use of
Antwerp as an export base.
Presuming that when the Anglo-Persian Oil Company have their oil ready
for shipment German steamers will no longer find it profitable to bring kerosene
to the Gulf, the sugar trade will be their principal standby ; it \s consequently
all important to us to devise means of offering effective competition in respect of
this commodity, and the figures and facts furnished by Mr. Chick clearly indicate
that the use of Antwerp by the British lines is greatly to be advocated, both in
connection with the sugar trade and other items of continental export ; but as to
what the precise position is at present among the companies inter se and how Jar
it may now be feasible from their point of view to resume the call at the Belgian
port I have no information.
In the above connections I venture, with the highest respect, to suggest
that the Board of Trade be asked to convene a small conference of shippers and
ship-owners to discuss both questions and advise as to the possibilities and most
effective means of improving our position.
As regards Bahrain and Lingah it is still in our local opinion important that
the Anglo-Algerian Company should arrange regular_ calls at each port. In
spite of previous hints they have so far taken no steps in this direction in regard
to Bahrain, and I can well believe that they have been deterred partly by the
absence of satisfactory mail or telegraphic communication with the islands.
If however, as there seems reason to hope, we shall before long see Bahrain
connected with the other Gulf ports by wireless, this objection would disappear.
Perhaps a knowledge of the intentions of Government in this direction would be
encouraging to them.
As regards Lingah I was glad at a recent visit to that port to gather that
Messrs. Gray Paul and Company, who, stimulated by the appointment of a^ British
Vice-Consul, at length decided to locate one of their European staff at this port,
find that the measure is having satisfactory results.