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Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’ [‎42r] (83/140)

The record is made up of 1 file (68 folios). It was created in 16 May 1943-21 Apr 1948. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Four Be/erence?^——?^^/^
Treasury
Reference S-A5336.
Dear Harrison,
G O r i ^ x
TREASURY CHAMBERS,
GREAT GEORGE STREET,
LONDON- S.W.l.
4Z
22nd June, 1944.
n ‘
^ i s
b cs
, I refer to your letter of 2nd June about compensa
tion for certain Muscati coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. who were killed or
-f jured in the S.S. Dahpu, a Norwegian ship on time
charter to the Ministry of War-Transport, when it was
torpedoed by an enemy submarine in Muscat Harbour on
the 28th June 1943.
As you are doubtless aware, we are very averse from
giving compensation for fait? de guerre, either in British
territory or to allies like Egypt or Persia and I am
afraid that wecannot accept the implication that H.M.G. *8
assurances of protection to the Sultan carry with them a
complete and automatic insurance against loss caused by
enemy attack or in the course of defence against such
attack.
We recognise, however, that Muscat is in a rather
special position and in view of the political considera
tions which you urge, we are prepared to agree to the
proposed payment in this case, provided that it is made
clear to the Sultan that we are not thereby committed to
pay automatically if other incidents occur.
A
We agree that the expenditure may be classed as
special wartime expenditure in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the
allocation of which between Imperial and Indian
revenues is to be determined after the war. I note
that you suggest that such allocation is to be in
accordance with the general principles which may govern
the allocation of war expenditure between the United
Kingdom and India, but as we understand the position,
P.A.K. Harrison, Esq.,
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .
I RECd. POL. KPT. /any
i 2 I. JUN IP ■ •
i INDIA OFFICE The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.

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Content

The file contains policy papers discussing whether the British Government should pay out compensation for dhows lost by the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. States as a result of enemy action. The file also discusses whether compensation should be paid to coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. killed as a result of the sinking of the Norwegian vessel SS Dahpu in Muscat harbour by a Japanese submarine on 28 June 1943; the British Government had given the Sultan of Muscat assurances that his state would be protected from external aggression.

A single post-war incident has been included in the file: the looting of the Alexandria Steam Navigation Company ship Star of Mex in February 1947. The ship was stranded near Ra‘s al Khabba: see folios 21-22 for a detailed report on the incident by Andrew Charles Stuart, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and Consul at Muscat. The majority of the papers are concerned with establishing whether the Muscat Government is liable for paying out compensation.

The file does not contain any papers for the years 1945-1946.

The main correspondents are 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant Colonel William Rupert Hay) and officials of the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. – Commonwealth Relations Office from August 1947. The file also contains input from the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and the Treasury.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (68 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 70; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’ [‎42r] (83/140), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/847, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044811835.0x000054> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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