'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎346r] (718/1904)

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authority there in a practical form would lead to '
" diBturbance?
Again in April 1904 when an over zealous Belgian C ub-
toms official proceeded to the island and incontinent
ly hauled doT /n the Shargah flag and hoisted the Persian
ewhlem in its place, the Persian iiovemaient were called
upon to repair the unwarranted affront and a British
iran-of-vifar was sent to see that it had been, done and
that the Arab flag was replaced with due cereaony•
Thus, as far as the Jowasiis ere concerned the position
which existed from time iwaemorial has been Maintained
up to the present rsoment, and every year in the spring,
when and after rain has fallen and vegetation isade its
appearance, the Ruling Shaikh of Shargah and his int-
Diediate relations have been in the habit of sending
their livestock to graze on the island.
So much for the abstract history of Abu Muea as an
appanage of Shargah, Tfe rsay now turn to the aspects
brought into relief by the present misunderstanding
in connection with the grant of a Concession for min
ing oxide on the Island.
In the year 1882, the Ruling Chief of Shargah
was Shaikh Salia bin Sultan. He had held the reins
of tribal governnent for about 18 years, but his
r
regime was a weak and unpopular one.
This Shaikh had taken a particular and enterprising
interest in .Abu Muea and had planted corse date groves
and built hinself a rough residence there. In the
spring of 1685 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 youhg
nan of about 26 years of age, in charge of his head
quarters at Shargah.
Among these Arab chieftains the principle of
•slight is right* prevails and Sagar bin Khalid find
ing that the Majority of the tribesmen of the princi
pality