'File No. II/9 Foreign Dept Memoranda of Information re. affairs in Persian Gulf, Maskat & Arabian Shore of the Persian Gulf. Nov '07 - Dec '08.' [‎34v] (70/132)

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account books as exhibits in the case, provided
that the correct legal procedure was very
scrupulously observed. With reference to
the second point, the Secretary of State
explained that the object to be aimed at was
that, without prejudice to and pending a
settlement, which would necessarily take time,
some temporary arrangement should be made
to supply Messrs. Wdnekhaus & Co. every
month with a limited amount of oxide to
enable them to fulfil their contracts. So long
as the stuff already excavated sufficed for
purpose of continuous supply, it would not
be necessary to undertake further mining
operations, but preparations to resume mining
were to be undertaken in good time to prevent
any interruption of the supply. The Govern
ment of India were asked to telegraph their
proposals for these temporary arrangements as
soon as possible.
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. , who was consulted,
replied on the 9th May that it was clear that
the accounts and operations would be compli
cated by the introduction of another agent for
transporting minerals accumulated near the
mines, owing to the fact that the price per ton
paid by the German firm included delivery on
board, and as the transport and loading gear
was in the possession of Hassan. Major Cox
had visited Lingahand proposed to Hassan that
he should proceed with the transportation of
the accumulated minerals from inland to the
beach after giving to the Resident a suitable
undertaking as before. Hassan replied, after
consulting Mr. Brown, that owing to the ex
cessive heat and drought no serious transport
ing operations would be possible for the next
three or four months, and that work had
always been suspended during the summer in
the past; he stated further that, whereas he
had always hitherto received from the firm
three or four months previous warning of their
wdsh to send a ship, Mr. Brown had intimated
that he was unaware that his principals had
any intention of taking more minerals in
the near future. Major Cox was therefore
of opinion that local circumstances appeared
hardly to fit in with the Secretary of State’s
directions that a limited quantity should
be made available each month, and he
suggested, for consideration, that an explan
ation of the above facts should be given to the
German Government, and that they should be
informed that, according to Hassan’s estimate,
about 400 tons remained on the beach and
about 3,000 tons ot saleable quality near the
mines. They might, it was suggested, be
asked to ascertain approximately in how many
instalments the German firm would wish to
ship this quantity, the probable date contenn-
plated for the arrival of the next ship, and
the amount which w T ould be required by her.