ملف رقم ١٤٢١ لسنة ١٩٠٨، جزء ٣، "بلاد فارس: النفط؛ مفاوضات بين شيخ المحمرة وشركة النفط الأنجلو-فارسية" [ظ‎‎٢‎٦‎٦] (٣٣٨/٩٨)

difficulty which has arisen appears to lie at the door of the Persian Government,
the proposal of the company is not unreasonable, but before returning a definite reply
to their request I should be glad to be in possession of your views on the subject.
If you share my opinion, you should instruct His Majesty’s consul-general at
Bushire and the acting British consul at Mohammerah to support the local agents ok^
the company in their efforts to conclude an agreement with the sheikh on the lines
suggested, which are that they should pay him, in respect of any lands where they
desire to bore for oil, adequate compensation for any disturbance and a fair rent while
they occupy the land, and should restore it to its present condition if no oil is found
there, or buy or lease it, as may be arranged, should oil be discovered. They should
also pay the sheikh, if he demands it, a certain share of their profits.
I may add that Mr. Greenway accompanied by Mr. James Hamilton, who is also
connected with the oil company, will shortly leave London for Mohammerah, and the
former proposes later on to proceed overland to Tehran. You are authorised to afford
to these gentlemen, and to instruct His Majesty’s consular officers on the spot to extend
to them, such assistance as they may require in the prosecution of their business.
I further transmit copy of the reply which I have caused to be returned to the
enclosed communications,^' and I have to inform you that a copy of this despatch has
been forwarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Cox for his information.
I am, &c.
E. GREY.
• To Anglo-Persian Oil Company, December 19, 1910