Page 451 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1009. 41
The Managing Agents of the Anglo-Pcrsian Oil Company, Messrs.
Lloyd, Scott & Co., also propose to enter the mercantile arena as soon as they
can obtain a house, wharf, etc.
The principal obstacle to both firms seems to be the very high price
demanded for suitable land by the Shaikh, and the short lease which he is
willing to give.
Messrs ter Meulen, Gratama & Co. continued to trade on a small scale,
Foreign FI™, in Ar.bi.ton, their head-quarters being at Ahwaz.
Messrs. R. Wonckhaus & Co. were represented in Mohammerah by Herr
R. Carstcns until he was invalided to India in August, and died en route at
Karachi. He was succeeded by Herr Sandri, a youth of 22 or 23 years of
age, and later by Herr Bornstorf.
The German steamers continued to run, and brought a good deal of
cargo for British firms and for ter Meulcn, Gratama & Co. The sales of
Wonckhaus & Co. in Mohammerah were not large, and cannot have brought
sufficient profit to cover the heavy rent charged for their wharf and offices
(over £200).
The “ Nusrat ” on the Lower, and the “ M’awin " on the Upper, Karun
ran regularly throughout the year,
Persian Commercial Enterprise.
though less often than their competitors
the “ Malamir ” and the “ Shushan ” It is stated that they clear their
running expenses and leave a small margin which is insufficient to meet
Sinking Fund charges were such to exist. They are both fast deteriorating.
During the year the formal assurances that had previously been
given to the Shaikh by the British Gov­
Shaikh Khazal. Relations with the British ernment were renewed, and at the same
Government. Assurances. time strengthened in several important
respects.
In October, the Shaikh was informed that Government had been pleased
to increase the number of guns in the
Increase of number of Shaikh’s puns.
salute to be fired when he visits a British
man-of-war from 5 to 12 ; and 5 guns for his son when representing him.
This honour was personal to him, and Government reserved to themselves the
right to withdraw it at any time.
Herr Wassmuss, German Vice-Consul at Bushire, visited Shaikh Khazal
in November, taking with him Haji
Relations with Foreign Governments other
than British. Rais’s son to act as interpreter. He
apparently only exchanged compliments
and discussed the weather, etc. It was at one time rumoured that the Shaikh
had borrowed £10,000 from the Germans, and the story was told in a very
circumstantial way 6v a native who was on board the Shaikh’s yacht on the
occasion of the alleged loan. No confirmation has, however, been forthcom­
ing, and it seems probable that the rumour was based on the fact that Haji
Rais had borrowed about £2.000 from the Germans in order to complete the
purchase price of some date gardens for the Shaikh. When the'loan of
£10,000 was made to him one of the conditions was that he should at once
repay the German loan, which he did, in October.
When visited, in March, by Mr. ter Meulen, and asked to support the
Dutch Irrigation Concession, the Shaikh was said by Mr. ter Meulen to have
refused to take cognizance of the matter in any way, or to discuss the subject.
The Shaikhs relations with the Turkish Walis of Basrah have been
friendly, and his old standing intimacy with the “ naqib ” of Basrah and with
other important families is unimpaired.
His relations with the Shaikh of Kuwait remain extremely friendly
though he still apparently owes this potentate about £10,000 T. and the.
ormer frequently visits Fallahiyah, whilst, when Shaikh Mubarak was ill in
Kuwait (and rumoured to be dead), Shaikh Khazal went, after a delay of
some days (due to his being unable to charter a ship), with his doctor and hi*
I
usual train of 100 followers, to Kuwait to see his sick friend.
o, December 1909- .F‘1lah and .’Abdul Karim, sons of Saibud asked
Shaikh Khazal for permission to reside in Persian territory near Hawizeh