"B.11 668-II جزيرة سيري" [و‎‎٦‎٣] (٢٩٤/١٢٦)

4
{Received on IBth July 1908, with Political Secretary's letter No, 86, dated the 26th June
''1908.)
Foreign Office to India Office.
No 19453.
June 12th, 1908.
%
Sir,
With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of a red oxide
concession on the island of Sirri in the Persian Gulf, I am directed by Secre
tary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, to be" laid before the Secretary of State
for India, the accompanying copy of a telegram from His Majesty's Charge
d'Affaires at Tehran.
I am to State that Sir E Grey would be glad to receive an expression of
Lord Morley's views on the suggestion that the Representative of the British
Company should apply for a concession to the Sheikh of Shargah through the
British authorities.
I am, etc,
(Sd.) LOUIS MALLET.
Mr. Marling, telegram No. 135, June 5, 1908.
{Received on 13th July 1908, with Political Secretary's letter No. 26, dated the 26th June
1908.)
India Office, 24th June 1908
Sir,
I am directed to acknowledge your letter of the 12th instant, No. 19163,
asking for the views of the Secretary of State for India on the suggestion made
by His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Tehran, in his telegram of the 5th instant.
No. 135, that the British firm, referred to in your letter of the 21st April, who
have applied to the Persian Government for a concession to work oxide on Sirri
Island, should now obtain through the British authorities a concession from
the Sheikh of Shargah.
In reply, I am to say that it appears to Viscount Morley that His Majesty's
Government are precluded from acting on this suggestion by the statement
in the note of the Persian Government, enclosed with Sir A Hardinge's despatch
, ^ of 15th June^' 1904, that" we have not insisted
• Secret E., February 1905, Nos. 259-29 d . td • o l • • j
on me Persian Government removing its
flag from the Island of Sirri, till the controversy between the two Governments
as to the ownership of the island, which originated many years ago, has been
reciprocally settled This statement, on the other hand, would justify His
Majesty's Government in prohibiting the grant of the concession, without
their consent, by the Persian Government, to any of the other applicants
referred to in Mr. Marlihg's telegram.
In these circumstances, it appears best to Lord Morley to adhere to the
view expressed, after consultation with the Government of India, in my letter
of the 2nd instant, that no protest need be made against the grant of the con
cession to Messrs. Haji All Akbar and Sons of Manchester, subject to the
guarantee named in your letter of thef 21st April, viz., that they will control
+ Pro. No. 85o ia Secret e., June 1908, Nos. the concession as a British Company in
85i-86i. British interests, and will not transfer it or
allow it to be shared in by any foreigner.