'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎54r] (118/1904)

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to insinuate a claim to Abu Musa, but in 1888, when this claim was first asserted, iu
conjunction with a similar one in connection with Sirri, Colonel E. C. Boss, for
eighteen years Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , writing to Sir Henry Drummond Wolff,
His Majesty's Minister at Tehran, on the 28th April, 1888, observed: " The claim
now put forward to the Island of Abu Musa has no justification whatever and any
attempt to assert Persian authority there in a practical form would lead to
disturbance."
Again in April 1904 when an over zealous Belgian Customs official proceeded to
the island ana incontinently hauled down the Shai'gah flag and hoisted the Persian
emblem in its place, the Persian Government was called upon to repair the
unwarranted affront, and a British man-of-war was sent to see that it had been done
and that the Arab flag was replaced with due ceremony. Thus, as far as the Jowasim
are concerned the position which existed from time immemorial has been maintained
up to the present moment, and every year in the spring, when and after rain has
fallen and vegetation made its appearance, the ruling Sheikh of Shargah and his
immediate relations have been in the habit of sending their live-stock to sraze on
the island.
So much for the abstract history of Abu Musa as an appanage of Shargah. We
may now turn to the aspects brought into relief by the present misunderstanding in
connection with the grant of a Concession for mining oxide on the island.
In the year 1883, the ruling Chief of Shargah was Sheikh Salim-bin-Sultan. He
had held the reins of tribal Government for about eighteen years, but his regime was
a weak and unpopular one.
This Sheikh had taken a particular and enterprising interest in Abu Musa and
had planted some date groves and built himself a rough residence there. In the.
spring of 1883 he was according to his habit spending a few weeks there with the
tribal horses and flocks and had left his nephew, Sagar-bin-Khalid, a young man of
about 25 years of age, in charge of his head-quarters at. Shargah.
Among these Arab Chieftains the principle of " might is right" prevails, and
Sagar-bin-Khalid, finding that the majority of the tribesmen of the principality were
tired of his uncle's rule, and ready to support himself in a cov/p d'etat, seized the
government and proclaimed himself Sheikh on the 4th April, 1883, informing the
Resident of his action.
The British authorities leave these questions of personnel to the will of the tribes
concerned, and usually do no more than recognize the individual whom the support
and choice of the tribe puts in a position to handle the reins of government; and in
this case Sheikh Sagar received recognition in due course. As soon as he had made
sure of his position he addressed the Ilesident (on the 17th May, 1883) saying that
he now proposed to expel Sheikh Salim from Abu Musa. In reply he was reminded
that the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. had in former years specifically notified to the Trucial Chiefs that
the principles of the maritime truce must be held to apply to the islands as well as
the seas of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and that he should consequently endeavour to arrange a
peaceable settlement with his uncle.
Simultaneously Sheikh Salim left Abu Musa for Lingah, and thence wrote to the
Resident asking his good offices. He in turn was advised to remain in Lingah (it
being more convenient for purposes of communication) until he could come to an
understanding w^th Sheikh Sagar.
Being in the weaker position Salim soon came to terms and a settlement
guaranteed by the Sheikhs of Ras-el-Khaima and Debai was arrived at in July 1883,
under which Sheikh Salim was to receive a pension of 600 dollars per annum for his
maintenance.
A copy of the settlement is attached. Sheikh Salim, however, found it difficult
to refrain from intriguing against his nephew, in the hope, no doubt, of getting back
the Sheikhdom.
Thus, on the 21st January, 1884, Sheikh Sagar complained to the Resident of his
uncle's conduct, and in the course of his letter he wrote
" At present you are aware that Salim resides on Bu Musa, which is an island
dependent on Shargah, and I cannot spare it to others, and perhaps Salim may create
some disturbance which may break the maritime peace, I beg, therefore, that you
will kindly warn Salim and inform him that if he is desirous of living at Abu Musa
he must do so peaceably, you being his guarantee that nothing wrong will be done by
him of a nature to disturb the maritime peace. But should he not choose to obey it
will be your choice either to remove him from the island or to leave us to settle the