Page 83 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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Government removing their flag from tho Inland of
Sirri till tho contra verity between the two Governments
hb to tho ownership of tho island, which originated
many yenra ago, Iiuh been reciprocally nettled. The
pomtion would have been different if the Sheikh of
Shargah had removed an existing Persian flag from
Tamb and Abu Musa. What ho did was to hoist his
own Hug upon tho islands, which were not yet formally
Occupied by any other Government, and ho has tho
right to fly it as tho first occupant, till his lawful
possession of these islands is disproved."
India Offleo, In .Tune 1901- Major Cox entered into com­
Septombor 20,
1904. munication with the Chief of Shargah, as Head
Sheikh of the Jowasmi, respecting tho rchoisting
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 that the British Government would
protect them against enemies aud would maintain
their honour, and the people highly praised the
British Government.
Sir A. Hardinge, M. Naus, the Belgian Director of Customs,
No. 91, May 24,
1904. informed Sir A. Hardinge, in May 1904, that the
Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs had told
him that the Persian claim to Tamb aud Sirri
was sound, but that to Abu Musa was more
doubtful. No further Persian claim to Tamb
and Abu Musa lias been reported since 1904.

Sirri.

India Offleo, In June 1904 tho Government of India in­
August 19,1904.
Sir A. Hardingo, structed tho Resident in the Persian Gulf to
No. 135, July 23, forward a report ou the actual situation at Sirri,
1904.
which tho Persian Government had occupied in
1888, 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 ILis Majesty’s Govern­
ment had never in any way admitted, or with­
drawn their original objections to, tho claim of
the Shah's Government to the ownership of the
island; while it was equally clear from the
records of the Residency that the Jowasmi A mb
Sheikhs of the Pirato Coast had never voluntarily
dropped their claim to. proprietary rights over
Sirri any more than over Aim Musa and Tamb.