Page 393 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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When Major Cox visited Henjam in June 1905, he found a third incumbent
in the customs post. He had made arrangements to get water from Deristan.
III.—Sir A. Hardinge thought that as to the Sheikh of Henjam it
was best for Major Cox to tell him, in case he again raised
the question of the presence of Persian officers on the island,
that His Majesty's Government have recognized Persian sove­
reignty over Henjam (but not over Tamb). During the visit
of Major Cox to Henjam above referred to the Arabs were
busy preparing for pearl fishing and their Sheikh did not come
to meet him. Major Cox left a note for the Sheikh saying
that " I was sorry to have missed him, but that in any case, I
was confident that until he had an opportunity of meeting (myself)
or His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Bandar Abbas, he would as
heretofore abide by the advice of the Telegraph Superinten­
dent.”
244. As a result of his visit to and inspection of our station at Henjam (report
of which has been quoted in para. 238 above), Major Cox suggested to Sir A.
Hardinge that he might notify to the Persian Government that we must be con­
sulted as to the site for a building which they seem to have contemplated
erecting and for which tenders had been invited and as to the final position of
their flagstaff (Telegram dated 1st June 1905).

245. Sir A. Hardinge telegraphed to Major Cox on 2nd June:—
f<I think that we can hardly dictate to the Persian Government as to where it shall put
its flagstafl on Henjam, unless its hoisting is consequently inconvenient to our office for
telegraph purposes, and I think we should be careful to avoid suggesting that we regard
with unfriendly eye Persian sovereignty over the island. The building for which tender
is invited is perhaps the Persian telegraph office on which Shah inserted a condition of
extension of telegraph line to Bunder Abbas, but erection of which 1 regard as somewhat
problematical."
246. Major Cox telegraphed to Sir Arthur Hardinge on the 28th June,
repeating a report from the Superintendent of Telegraphs, Henjam, that the male
population of the Arab village of that island being away at the pearl-fisheries, the
Director of Customs at Bandar Abbas proceeded to Henjam on the 25th June
in the Customs steamer, and visited the Arab village, where only a few men
remained in charge of the women.
247. He invited a Persian of Kishm, who is dwelling among the Arabs, to
become the Persian Customs Mirza of the village on a salary of krans 2,000 a
year. The Director promised to erect a house and flagstaff for him similar to that
erected on the north side of the island. He added that there was no intention
to farm the Customs, but that the measures proposed were necessary in order to
prevent Englishmen from claiming the island later on. Informants signed a
statement as to what took place at the Custom Director’s visit and also a state­
ment attested by all persons who were present at the conversation that they
were to the same effect as the original report.
Major Cox reported that the Arab Sheikh of the village was expected in a
few days from the Pirate coast, and asked what line should be taken if the
Sheikh referred to H. M.’s Consul at Bandar Abbas, or to himself.
248. On the 29th June, Sir Arthur Hardinge telegraphed that he had
addressed a strong protest to the Minister of Customs, against the language used
by the Director of Customs, into which, he said, he should hold an enquiry, and
that he had requested an explanation.
249. Sir Arthur Hardinge’sview was that we must recognise such consequences
of Persian sovereignty as the presence of flags and a Customs officer on Henjam,
but that, if the Persian actually oppressed the Arabs and if any of the latter came
to the telegraph station for sanctuary, he would take the matter up at Tehran and
protect them. But in the meantime, he informed Major Cox, the Arab Sheikh
should be warned that wc recognise Henjam as part of Persia, and that, if his
people attack the Telegraph or Customs officials, British and Persian soldiers
would probably be sent to Henjam.