مراسلات بشأن الامتيازات في البحرين والكويت وغيرها بين ١٩٣٢-يوليو ١٩٣٣ (مطبوع سري رقم ٤٩ للمكتب الاستعماري في الشرق الأوسط) [و‎‎٤‎٦] (٢٨٤/٩٣)

(Confidential.)
No. 89 of 1351.
Office of the Adviser to the Government of Bahrein,
Dated, Dil Haj 27, 1351.
Sir , 22nd April, 1933.
I have the honour to refer to your C/146 dated 7th i ^pril, 1933, enclosing a
letter dated 4th April, 1933, from the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrein
Petroleum Company, who applies for an extension of the prospecting licence for one
year and who makes an alternative proposal.
The whole matter has been carefully considered by His Excellency Shaikh Hamad
and it has been discussed very fully with Shaikhs Mohomed, Abdullah, and Sulman.
The opinion which was finally arrived at is expressed in the enclosed letter addressed to
you bv His Excellency Shaikh Hamad.
jbriefly this government is not disposed to grant the extension of one year which it
considers it has the right to grant or refuse. The fact that last summer, when the
Company applied for an extension of two years, of which only one year was granted,
is taken as a definite indication that this Government has the right to grant or to refuse
such an application. If, however, this Government is informed by the British Govern
ment that according to the meaning of the Concession it is not within this Government's
power to withhold the extension then it will be reluctantly compelled to give way. It
is unwilling to grant this extension as it would result in postponing the increased pay
ments (Rs. 30,000/- per annum) which become due when the Company enters the
Mining Lease. If, however, the Government is definitely informed by you that its
attitude, which is based on its own interpretation of Clause IV, is tenable, it is then
prepared to allow the extension on conditions that the Company in return for being
given an extension, to which they have no definite right, make a loan to the Govern
ment from its future Royalties.
In the case of the Chief Local Representative's second proposal; this Government
is prepared to consider granting a mining lease over the second 100,000 acres if the
Company will pay a more adequate amount.
In both these matters His Excellency Shaikh Hamad is anxious to hear the opinion
of the British Government as soon as possible. The financial situation is at present
serious and it is likely to become more serious owing to the probable loss of the R.E.
trade and it would be a very great relief to His Excellency Shaikh Hamad if he could
count on an increase in the revenue of the State from payments from the Bahrein
Petroleum Company.
I have, &c.,
C. Dalrymple Belgrave,
Financial Adviser.
To His Britannic Majesty's Political Agent,
Bahrein.
Bahrein, 25th Dil Haj 1351.
After Compliments :—
We have received your letter No. C/146 dated 7th April, 1933, addressed to the
Adviser, enclosing a letter from Major Frank Holmes, Chief Representative, Bahrein
Petroleum Co., Ltd. We are surprised at the absence of Major Holmes from Bahrein
during the discussion of such an important matter. We should be obliged if you would
inform the Honourable the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf of the following facts.
We understand that the Company wishes us again to extend the prospecting licence
for another year. The Company asked us last year to extend the prospecting licence
for two years and after considering their request we refused to extend it for two years,
but we agreed to extend it for one year, ending 2nd December, 1933, corresponding
with 14th Shaaban 1352.
It appears from the letter of Major Holmes that the Company considers that it has
the right to another year. Although we agree that the Company has carried out its work
to the best of its ability and without delay, we think that according to the meaning of
Article 4 of the Concession the Company has not the right to another year in case we
are not pleased to grant another year.
Article 4 of the Concession is as follows :—" The prospecting licence referred to
in the preceding Article may be extended for a further period of two years on the
Company's showing to the satisfaction of the Shaikh, acting on the advice of the
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, that such an extension is justified."