'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎124v] (259/1904)

I may mention tere for the information of Government—- it has^ been
considered unnecessary to mention it in tlie evidence that a change
.has come about in the relations between Shaikh Sagar and Saiim.
Shaikh Sagar's son Khaled, Shaikh of Kas-el-Khaima, having died ofcon-
sumptioii, Sagar sent his uncle Salim there temporarily to take charge
as Deputy Governor. Soon after his arrival there his son committed a
murder in connection with a love affair. Shaikh Sagar wanting to na\ e
the murderer tried and punished: Salim in order to save his son set
himself up adversely to Shaikh Sagar and placed himself on the defensive
It being the pearling season and all his men away, Shaikh Saga.r took
no punitive action and eventually made terms with Salim and allowed
him to remain as Shaikh of Ras-el-Khaima. He has accordingiy
ceased to pay him any pension and withdrawn Abu Musa from his
enjoymer.t.
I do not think we need mention this as the development is still fresh and had
better be left to crystallize quietly.
Issue (6). A quantity of similar evidence has been obtained in refutation
of the mercantile and clerical evidence furnished in the German
Rejoinder.
Issue (c). The Memorandum of Association proves never to have been
\ completed or even seen by the other partners—and never to have been
acted upon. Hasan himself now claimed (to Abdul Latif) to be entitled
to act on it, nor even mentioned it in his remonstrances. As an
authority in Hasan's hands it did not exist. We concede that Hasan
up to a certain point was managing partner, but this monopoly contract
was a new departure, beyond his powers.
Issue (a), requires no fresh evidence. It is further argued.
Issue (e). Important evidence has been produced In the shape of Malcolm's
deed of partnership corroborated by a letter of Hasan Samaiyeh,
showing that Hasan himself drew up and inserted a prohibition against
the sale by any partner of any share without the express consent
and signature of the other partners. In the case of his purchase of
Yusuf's share and transfer to Brown, he neglected to comply with this
condition ; it is therefore invalidated in any case by his own provision.
Issue (f) is combated. No evidence is nee led.
May$0, 1911, P. Z. COX.
Jiemarks on the German exposition of those
are not disputed
(1) Shaikh Sagar at the time intended to drive Shaikh Salim out of Abu
hy force but was frevented from doing so by the in the
Qulf. Yes ; indirectly prevented. Shaikh Sagar was reminded by the British
Resident that the principles of the Ma^ime Truce applied to the islands, and
was informed that he must not let his quarrel with his uncle lead to a disturbance
of it. Shaikh Salim was given pacific advice, of a like nature. But for his fear
of our displeasure it would obviously have been a simple matter for Shaikh Sagar,
who at that time had all his tribesmen at his back, to send two or three
full of armed men to Abu Musa and eject Shaikh Salim or bring him away. The
latter had no following with him at the time or means of defending himself. But
the British political authorities know by experience that if these Arab Shaikhs
are allowed to send armed tribesmen to sea in boats, their followers inevitably get
out of hand and probably start firing on or looting innocent craft, and thus dis
turb the martime truce generally. We have in consequence been obliged to make
it an invariable rule, not to agree to the passage by sea of full of armed men,
unless it be with the express consent of the Resident and in the presence, if
necessary, of one of His Majesty's ships. As a matter of fact it would probably
have saved a good deal of subsequent trouble in this case, had the Resident allowed