File 3615/1913 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf - Lease of Isands (& Muin ut Tujjar's Concession)' [‎163r] (295/344)

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5tb M a y
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-t -Seoret
Kir*
In reply to your letter No. 16885, relative to the
proposer? aenuirition by Hie ’ia^e»ty f g Hovernnent on a long
lease of the Islands of T>ara1c* Kenjajt* and the whole of
^ishm* I m mmmfted by rny Lords Komissioners of the
Admiralty to rermest that ym will inform the Secretary
of State for "oroign Affairs that in their opinion the
control of the islands would undoubtedly be eminently
desirable from the standpoint of naval and national
interests.
In view of Sir I Grey * s opinion expressed in
your letter My Lords do not cogent on the commercial
aspects of the question further than to call attention to
the additional security which would be thus given to the
investment which H* Government is now making* and to the
fact that the probable income from Fish** (on the assumption
that oil royalties would in future be payable to H.
Government) would in all probability amply pay for the
administration and for the rent to be paid to Persia.
3*- The importance of these Islands from a strategic
point of view cannot be too strongly insisted upon. They
command the only deep water shelt ered anchomges in/the
emit hem end of the Gulf* and they provide a possible
base from which the whole trade of the Gulf can be
>
controlled* if necessary* in time of war.
The Under Secretary of Gtate*
They give
absolute
Foreign Office.