Page 83 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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Government removing their flag from tho Inland of
Sirri till tho contra veiny between the two Governments
as to the ownership of tho island, which originated
many years ago, has been reciprocally settled. The
position would hnvo been different if the Sheikh of
Shargah had removed an existing Persian flag from
Tomb aud Abu Musa. What he did was to hoist his
own flag upon tho islands, which were not yet formally
Occupied by any other Government, and ho has tho
right to fly it as the first occupant, till his lawful
possession of theso islands is disproved.”
India Office, In Juno 1901 Major Cox entered into com­
September 20,
1904. munication with the Chief of Shargah, as Head
Sheikh of the Jowasmi, respecting the rehoisting
of the Jowasmi flags.
Flagstaff's were erected on both islands and
guards stationed there, and the Chiefs and
inhabitants of the Pirate Coast were glad, and
felt assured 1 hat the British Government would
protect them against enemies aud would maintain
their honour, and the people highly praised the
British Government.
8ir A. Hardinge, M. Naus, the Belgian Director of Customs,
No. 91, May 24,
1904. informed Sir A. Hardinge, in May 1901, that the
Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs had told
him that the Persian claim to Tumb and Sirri
was sound, but that to Abu Musa was more
doubtful. No further Persian claim to Tarnb
and Abu Musa lias been reported since 1901.

Sirri.

India Office, In June 1901 the Government of India in­
August 19,1904.
Sir A. Hardinge, structed tho llosident in the Persian Gulf to
No. 185, July 23, forward a report on the actual situation at Sirri,
1904.
which tho Persian Government had occupied in
186S, as it might he convenient to reopen tho
question of the legality of the Persian occupa­
tion if the Persian Government should afford an
opportunity by questioning the status of Abu
Musa aud Tamb.
Major Cox reported that His Majesty’s Govern­
ment had never in any way admitted, or with­
drawn their original objections to, the claim of
the Shah’s Government to the ownership of the
islaud; while it was equally clear from the
records of the Residency that the Jowasmi A mb
Sheikhs of tho Pirato Coast had never voluntarily
dropped their claim to. proprietary rights over
Sirri any more than over Abu Musa and Tamb.