IN THE PERSIAN GULF

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6396, 19 December 1907, Page 5

IN THE PERSIAN GULF

SEIZURE OF GOODS GERMANS DECLARE IT WAS NOT JUSTIFIED. A SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. By Telecraph—Press Association —Copyrifih, BERLIN, December 17. In connection ivith the recent seizure of floods on the island of Abu Musa, Herr Noenckhaus, senior partner in tho German firm involved, declares that tho action of tho British gunboat Lapwing in making seizures was unjustifiable, .since there were no coal or firearms on Abu Musa. Tho local firm only worked oxide mines under legal contract to Noenckhaus and Co, It is believed tho incident will soon be settled amicably.

Last week it was reported that a British wareliin had seized stores, coal and arms ami products of oxide mines, belomdiis to the German firm of Noenckon the island of Abu Musa, in the Persian Gulf, on the ground that they wore contraband of war. German and English firms hold concessions from rival sheiks, who each claim authority over tho bland. Some Berlin newspapers attributed the action of the warship to British jealousy at tho competition ot German shipping companies in tho Persian Gulf.