'Minutes memos despatches etc' [‎38r] (75/156)

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Musa appears t-o have been made of late; but it might
be well to take advantage of the present situation to
secure a definite renunciation of the Persian claim,
as has been recommended in the case of Bahrein.
There is only one further point on which action seems
called for in regard to Abu Musa, and that action
might well be taken at the Peace Conference.
The island contains valuable deposits of red oxide.
In 1898 the ex-Sheikh, uncle of the ruling chief, leased
.The mines to three native concessionnaires, one of whom
granted to the German firm of Wonckhaus for four
years, with a preferential option of renewal, a
monopoly of purchase of oxide from the mines.
The ruling Sheikh subsequently cancelled the con
cession. The German Government then took up
Messrs. Wonckhaus’ case, and addressed themselves to
His Majesty’s Government. They regarded the can
cellation as illegal, and looked to us to compensate the
firm. Considerable negotiation led, in 1913, to an
agreement to settle the matter on the basis of a cash
payment* in extinction of all Wonckhaus’ rights at
Abu Musa. We were about to offer the firm £2,000 in
full settlement when war broke out.
This question might be treated on the same lines
as our proposals for the Baghdad Railway, the
Germans surrendering all claim in connection with
the concession.
(c.) Bassidu.
We occupied Bassidu in 1820. It is at the west end
of Kishm Island. It was from 1823 till 1879 the head
quarters of the Indian Marine, but has now lost this
importance. We no longer use the place as a coaling
depot, though we keep there an agent who flies the
British flag.
The rest of the island is under the authority of
Persia, who took it in 1952. The Persian Govern
ment never appear to have taken exception to our
occupation of Bassidu.
On the other hand, it has been suggested on various
occasions that we should consolidate our position at the
entrance of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including Kishm. This
language is somewhat vague.
As, however, there is apparently nothing to prevent
us from developing cur present position at Bassidu, if
we should ever desire to do so, there seems no reason
for raising the question at the Conference, wdiile we
can well rely on our prescriptive rights, if, as appears
unlikely, the point is raised by the Persian Govern
ment.
(d.) Sirri.
This island has some small importance owing to the
existence of red oxide.
The Persian Government occupied it in 1888. We
have never admitted the Persian claim ; on the other
hand, we have allowed the occupation to continue for
30 years. The real owners, as in the case of Abu Musa
and Tamb, appear to be the Towasmi Arab Sheikhs
of the Arabian coast, of whom the chief is the Sheikh
of ^hargah.
It might be well to deal with this island at the same
time as Bahrein, Abu Musa, and Tamb, if an opening
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