'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎43r] (96/1904)

[A]
ASIATIC TURKEY.
[January 1, 190S.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sbotiok 1.
[78]
No. 1.
Baron von Stumm to Sir Edward Gr 1, 1908.)
l.our Excellency, ^ 31, 1907.
ON the l^th instant, the Imperial Embassy gave Sir Charles Hardinge to
understand that they were ready to lay before the British Government papers connected
with the complaint of the German firm R. Wonckhaus and Co., relative to the
mines of oxide of iron at Abu Musa in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . These papers have now
reached the Kmbassy and I have the honour to transmit them herewith, with copies of
the inclosures in duplicate.
On the assumption that as the action of the Sheikh of Shargah, which has given
rise to the German firm's complaint, took place, as far as can be ascertained, with the
help of a British man-of-war and apparently in the presence of a British Consul, the
British Government is now, or will be shortly in possession of detailed information with
regard thereto, I have the honour to express the hope that your Excellency will
communicate in the same open way to the German Government the papers in
possession of the British Government,
Complaint of the German Firm R.Wonckhaus
ACCORDING to papers, copies of which are in possession of the German
Government, Salem-bin-Sultan, uncle of the ruling Sheikh of Shargah (Segger-bin-
Cbftlid), is the owner of iron oxide mines on the island of Abu Musa in the Persian
Gulf, which appears to be included in the territory of the Sheikh of Shargah.
In 1898 Salem-bin-Sultan by a document (Inclosure 1) leased his iron oxide mines
on Abu Musa for a fixed yearly rent to a Company consisting of three British subjects,
of whom a certain Hadschi Hassan-ben-Ali Samaye, as the eldest, conducted the affairs
of the lessors.
In 1899 the Company, consisting of the three lessors, admitted the reigning
Sheikh of Shargah (Segger-bin-Chalid) into the Company, so that the Company of
lessors now consisted of four persons with equal rights therein. The Sheikh soon
transferred his share to another person, Jussuf-bin-Abd ullah . The latter sold his share
subsequently to Hadschi Hassan-bin-Ali Samaye, the above-mentioned managing
partner of the Company. The latter sold his share in October 1907 to the British
subject Mr. Thomas Brown, of Lingah, and a few days later he (Mr. Brown) sold the
share to the German firm R. Wonckhaus and Co., of Lingah (Inclosures 4 a to 4 b ).
These documents are attached to the last sheet of the original of the lease).
The Company of lessors, therefore, consists apparently to-day of three British
subjects and the German firm R. Wocnkhaus and Co.
The lease of the Company appears to be legally constituted; this was recognized
by the reigning Sheikh of Shargah. since he himself was, for a time a partner in the
Company.
It appears, therefore, that an absolutely legitimate commercial business is concerned.
In the last few months the Sheikh has addressed to the above mentioned British
subject Hadschi Hassan-bin-Ali Samaye, the managing partner, several communications
(Inclosures 12, 16, 21, 23) of which the last is said to have been handed to Samaye in
the presence of the British Consular Agent at Lingah. In these communications he
demanded that the working of the mines at Abu Musa should be stopped.
Further, in October 1907 the Sheikh sent armed men to the island, who forcibly
expelled the miners and prevented the mines being worked.
The boats with the Sheikh's armed men were towed to Abu Musa by the British
I have, &c.
(Signed) STUMM.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
[2790 a—1]
B