'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎57v] (125/1904)

38
s ins document which does not leave you any power of control or modification in regard
to the oxide mmes of Abu Musa. And previous to this present communication I
communicated to you in my letter dated 8th Zilhijjeh a translation of the deed for
youi information and said that yon would perceive that the question was not one of
mei*e sale as stated by you, but one of leasehold, against which I had warned you.
Moreover, Sheikh Sagar does not agree to the lease of the oxide to outsiders from
ioreign Powers and claims that the agreement (with him) was that vou should do the
work yourselves and not farm it out. This is what had to be explained.
No. 18.
Rough purport of a Petition from Nejef-bin-AU,
Lieutenant Gabriel, date 16, 1908.
(After compliments.)
1 • ^ iy i atlier - for SOme 7 ears performed service for the British, and as Hail Hassan-
follows majr ' of kingah, is a British subject, I therefore petition to you as
concerning the Abu Musa oxide, for which there were four concessionnaires
among whom I hold the deed of partnership of my father. My father had no other
heir but myself, and therefore after his death Haji Hassan-bin-Ali acknowledged my
right of partnership as acquired through my father. At the time when Hassan
entered into the agreement with Messrs. Wonckhaus be gave me no information what
ever on the subject. ^ Subsequently I made an arrangement with Haji Amin-ut-Tuiiar
to sell him oxide and sent word to Hassan to this effect. Hassan then wrote me that
lie had made a contract elsewhere, and would inform me regarding it later. As proof
that T did not in any way agree to this contract made by Hassan, I point to the fact
that it aid not bear my signature, and when, some months later, Abdullah-bin-Hassan
and the German Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. came and asked me to sign it in token of assent, I refused to
do so, as I had not been consulted in the first place. As further proof of my right in
the Concession, I may mention that in 1901 Abdullah-bin-Hassan had a case in
Calcutta against Messrs. Sassoon concerning the .Abu Musa oxide, but seeing that the
oxide had been sold in the name ot my father, the case could not be proceeded with
until I had furnished a power of attorney fpr the Calcutta Court—a copy of this is
doubtless on your Consulate records, (Note by His Britannic Majesty's Consul: The
consulate fee-book shows that Nejef paid 5s. feCs for the execution of a power of
attorney on the -9th October, 1904.) Now I complain that from the time that
Hassan has been actively engaged in the oxide work of Bu Musa, I have not received
mai or tne proceeds, although all the work on the island formerly devolved upon my
tatxier, wno himself found the implements, vie., for working the oxide/ which
implements are even now at the. island.
Besides all this, there were 250 carpets which belonged to my father, and which
were sent to Calcutta for sale.^ Abdullah-bin-Hassan wanted to settle up the account
or icm in Calcutta, -)ut until I gave a power of attorney they would not settle with
um. Hassan suosequently collected all the money, but I have never been able to
recover any of it from him.
. iS ' 0 " T ^ ^ ra * / you • vour goodness to look after my rights and to obtain me iustice
ii ctsScin.
[20603] n L 12.
Sir Edward Grey tothk Giuliano.
biR E. (,fRL\ presents his compliments to the Italian Ambassador, and has the
honour to acknowledge the receipt of his Excellency's communication of the 10th ultimo,
intimating the consent of the Italian Gdvermnent to postpone any definite decision
regarding the appointment of an Italian (Jonsular Agent at Muscat until the result of
16 ' m? 8 8 inference, in so far as Muscjpt is concerned, is made known.
. e courteous action of the Italian Government in consenting to this course, and
. e friendly terms in which their intentioii is conveyed, are a source of gratification to
His Majesty s Government; and Sir E. OVrey would be glad if the Marquis di San