37 On 21 February 1907, Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid al-Qasimi cancelled the concession under the pretext that Hasan Suma’iyyah entered into the concession agreement Herr Wönckhaus without the Sheikh’s approval in addition to other reasons. In October 1907, Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid led a military force consisting of his own men to Abu Musa Island to dismiss the mine workers and stop all activities there. However, the boat carrying the armed men was driven away from the island by the British military ship, Lapwing. It was said that the ship had Lieutenant Gabriel, British Deputy-Consul in Bandar Abbas, on board. This incident was followed by a long dispute with the German Government, the details of which are not necessary to mention here. It suffices to say, however, that Wönckhaus claimed to his government that he had incurred losses owing to the breach of the terms of the agreement he entered into on 1 June 1906. The heated discussions abated following the eruption of the World War I. In November 1921, the British Foreign Ministry stated that Wönckhaus had no entitlements in regards to any new concessions to mine for the oxide on the island of Abu Musa and exporting it from there, even though the pre-war claims had not been settled. The British-based Messrs Strik & Co. were very interested before the World War in obtaining the concession to mine for red oxide on Abu Musa Island, and had been in contact with the British Government regarding this issue. In late 1921, they renewed their interest. Discussion with the relevant parties as well as the British-India Government ended on 20 January 1922, when the company was informed that negotiations must be conducted through the mediation of the Political Resident. The company was also asked to sign a declaration that it would not sell, license or transfer any concession or contract that they might get from the Sheikh of Sharjah to any third party other than British subjects. The company submitted the requested declaration on 26 January 1922. With the approval of the British Government, the company agreed with the Sheikh of Sharjah to be granted a 5-year license effective 1 January 1923, allowing it to export red oxide from the Island of Abu Musa. The terms of the agreement as stated in a letter dated 28 December 1922 MINERALS AND OIL IN SHARJAH
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