File 4949/1912 Pt 1 ‘Persian Gulf: Abu Musa oxide’ [‎216r] (440/566)

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No. 2798, dated Bushire, the 14th (received 22nd) September 1913 (Confidential).
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.L, 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 Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
With reference to the correspondence ending with Foreign Department
telegram No. 316 S., dated 19th August, I have the honour to submit some
further observations on Messrs. Wonckhaus’ objections and counter-proposals
in connection with the settlement of the Abu Musa case.
2. I am generally familiar with the conditions existing on the island,
but my present remarks are made after a special visit for the purpose and after
discussion with the 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 and Hassan Samaiyeh. The purport of
the latter’s statement to the 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 and myself is also attached.
It^ will he seen that I have little more to say than has already been repre
sented in my telegrams of 19th June, and I need only reiterate the view that
the most satisfactory course will be to give Messrs. Wonckhaus a lump sum
which will buy him out completely and leave him, if he wishes to go on trading
in oxide, to buy in the market on the same footing as others.
o
o
Messrs. Wonckhaus' observations.
After our former experiences with
Shaikh Seker, who claims the right
of cancelling at any time, without
indicating his reasons, concessions
granted by him, we have no confi
dence that a fresh concession from
him would enable the mines to be
worked steadily and on a technically
sound basis.
The parties concerned—the British
Government, the Shaikh and our
selves—are scarcely likely to be able
to reach an agreement as to the
persons to be considered “ suitable ”.
We ourselves have the first claim
to consideration in any concession.
But who is to be the competent
person to settle such differences
arising in future ?
And who is responsible for the
damage incurred by (reason of) the
person working the mines, for failure
to carry out the contracts of delivery ?
Resident's comment.
If we and the Shaikh are in accord
as to the individuals to whom the fresh
concession is to be given, Messrs.
Wonckhaus may be confident that the
mines would be worked satisfactorily.
I gather that we should merely con
template eliminating Abdulla bin
Hassan from the syndicate on personal
grounds and substituting a suitable
British or British Indian merchant or
firm on whom we could rely to work
the concern properly. The assurance
through the German Government con
templated by the Foreign Office should
fully meet the case.
The parties concerned are the British
Government and the Shaikh. All
Messrs. Wonckhaus are properly con
cerned about is to get the oxide that
they want, f.o.b., on reasonably favour
able terms. They are also, no doubt,
anxious to see that the interests of their
friend, Hassan Samaiyeh, do not go to
the wall; but if the latter is admitted
into the new concession they will have
no cause for anxiety on this score.
This is begging the question. We
consider that Messrs. Wonckhaus have
no claim except to be in a position to
buy oxide.
The Shaikh of Shargah under our
advice.
The concessionaires who would be
British subjects and personally amen
able to British jurisdiction.