File 1283/1913 Pt 1 'Persian Gulf: Anglo-German Commercial Competition' [‎226r] (55/272)

ports, it IS for delivery to Persian consignees, and when the Board of Trade learns from
Wfo iU tt 80 "t r, i P “> ^ can meet
competition, tnebc rirms must have torgotten all about the UeWn suuar and nth or
articles shipped by themselves in German ships, or these are not considered by them
1^1° disorder ” f atementtoo tha ‘ -port tmde of Sohhem
, 1 { disoidei is also very incorrect, even generally sneakine-
as regards gum carpets &e„ and as to the export of grain which is confined fo
Arabistan and the littoral south of the hills (transport wilfnot W above them) these
districts have been tranquil through all the years of disorder iu the interior ’
The conclusions and criticisms arrived at by the Board of Trade were purely
negative. There was no determination of tl.e methods that might be puhS to check
the increase of German trade and shipping, of which we had been awahing a sUn
business of theXitHi^T^bT q eC "!' lty> 8 fV™! of trade, would mean increased
business ot tiie lintisli firms with Southern Persia, but it is very doubtful whether
!t would not mean increased German shipments and shipping as well; at any rate h
C ° U Durin/fiV th ? 0p P 0Sltl0n to German progress, which is the essential to-day.
During six years the German shipping line has made very great strides up the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and always m a sense antagonistic to British interests. It is cleaihhat
with its numerous business connections it has the power to inflict greater damage stfll
Reports have been constantly sent in to His Majesty’s Government, pointhig out
pplhPTei” by German mtere f s ’ dangers ahead, if checks are not
applied 1 et none of the suggestions have been Tried, even experimentally. German
interests are being created rapidly, yet His Majesty’s Government, though apprehensive
have so far offered no opposition, through British commercial interests in London or by
adopting tiie suggestions of their representatives in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
The advance of German commercial and political interests in the Gulf will not be
met by a policy of drift, and “ do nothing active,” which has been the line up till now.
1 here can be no doubt of the danger threatening the British position in the Gulf
tor, as m the case of the Russian advance in Central Persia and descent to the neutral
^ lt ^ ai 1 \ 3e sai( ^ Y la t in proportion as German shipping interests and trade interests
m the Gull grow, the greater will become the claim of Germany to a share in the
political position too.
There are German subjects and interests :—
At Bagdad—
The railway company.
Messrs. Berk Puttmann and Co.
Messrs. R. Wonckhaus and Co.
A small school.
A consul.
At Basra—
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Co.
The railway company.
At Mohammerah—
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Co.
At Bn shire—
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Co.
A consul.
At Shiraz—
Herr Roever (an exporter of gum) with assistant.
Herr Appelt (an Austrian interested in carpets).
Dr. Pugin (a commercial agent who has made two stays in Shiraz).
The German consul at Bushire (in the summer).
Two German military attaches have recently been there.
At Lingah—
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Co.
At Bahrein—
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Co.
At Kirman—
Herr Bruggmann (a carpet exporter working for a German or an
Austrian firm).