'File No. II/12 Foreign Dept Memoranda of Information re: affairs in Persia and Arabian shore of the Persian Gulf. Jan '09 --' [‎66r] (131/178)

and leased to Messrs. Wonckhaus on behalf of
the Sheikh (vide paragraph 3 of the Memo-
randumfor May 1908), that, if a British tenant
could be produced, who would pay the same
rental (£200) now paid by Messrs. Wonckhaus,
in the event of the latter giving the lease up, he
would undertake to prevent them from obtain
ing business in Mohammerah and force them to
relinquish their lease by arranging an undetect
able boycott by himself and other merchants
over whom he had influence. He pointed out
that his son would in this process be compelled
to resign the German Shipping Line Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
and he hoped that the British Government
would not let him lose by it. The Political
Kesident suggested that, as the Sheikh
and commercial affairs in Mohammerah
were practically controlled by Hajji Itais,
if he attained the result indicated, it would
be well worth while, as long as the position
was maintained, to give him a subsidy. This
matter could now be conveniently arranged
indirectly through the Oil Company. The
Political B;esident also suggested that the
Oil Company or Messrs. Shaw Wallace
might undertake confidentially to take on the
tenancy of the wharf at the same rental as
Messrs. Wonckhaus and Company in the event
of the latter being forced to give up their
lease, as it was important that Hajji Rais
should begin pushing this matter before
Messrs. Wonckhaus* position is assured.
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. stated that,
although he did not doubt the Sheikh’s
personal bond Jides, it was necessary in British
interests for His Majesty’s Representative to
keep a tactful watch on Hajji Rais, as it was of
the greatest importance to have the latter’s
good-will and co-operation.
Sir G. Barclay replied that, if the pro
posed arrangement with Hajji Rais were made,
it would not only give him an undesirable
hold over us. but would, if it came to light,
give the Germans a very justifiable cause for
complaint. Sir G. Barclay would prefer to rely
on the influence of His Majesty’s Consul to
check any efforts which might be made by Hajji
Rais to improve the position of the Germans.
14. (Vide paragraph 11 of the Memo-
Arabistan telegraph randum for Mpril
lines - 1909.) Sir G. Barclay
informed Sir E. Grey on the 21st May that
the Minister for Foreign Affairs was now ready
to sign a Convention very much on the lines
desired by Sir E. Grey, provided it was agreed
by an exchange of notes that the Convention
should not come into force until approved by
the Assembly. Sir G. Barclay was disposed
to agree to the condition, after consultation