'File 86/1 I (D 73) Eastern and General Syndicate - Proposed Oil Concession in Kuwait'

Content

The volume covers the proposal by the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited for oil concessions in Kuwait (also spelled Koweit) which were to be negotiated on the Syndicate's behalf by Major Frank Holmes.

Included within the volume are copies of the draft agreements and correspondence between the Syndicate, the Colonial Office, The Government of India, The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Kuwait and the Sheikh of Kuwait with regards to the various clauses proposed in the agreements. The correspondence focuses primarily on clauses in the draft agreement which would permit the Syndicate to pass any concessions granted on to their American owners, and the concerns of both the Sheikh of Kuwait (Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) and the British Government over British companies operating in Kuwait.

Further correspondence and documents of interest in the file include:

• Complete copies of the first and second proposed draft agreements, in English and Arabic with comments by British officials (folios 111-131 and folios 205-223). A further copy of the second draft, in English only and with annotations, is also included in the file (folios 6-24);
• Correspondence between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ; Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , and the Colonial Office focusing on the importance of Kuwait's strategic position in the Gulf and the likelihood of a British Military and Naval base being required again in the country once Iraq becomes independent in 1932;
• Interest in re-acquiring leases for the areas of Shuwaikh, Ras-al-Ardh, al-Dasmah and al-Nigara in Kuwait for use by the Royal Navy and Air Force;
• Correspondence regarding drilling for water and the establishment of wells which Major Holmes has undertaken for the Shaikh of Kuwait and British suspicions that the well sites are being used for speculative oil drilling;
• Correspondence between the British Government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (A.P.O.C) regarding their possible interest in the oil concession in Kuwait.

Extent and format

1 volume (244 folios)

Arrangement

The papers in this file are arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The volume has been foliated in the top right corner of each folio with a pencil number. The foliation sequence runs from the first to last folios, the only exception being folio 194 which is located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of folio 193.

Foliation anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, 59A, 134A, 139A, 164A, 223A, 223B

Condition: The volume no longer has a back cover or spine, and only part of the labelling for the spine remains.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/1/638

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Series: D 73 A Series: 86/1 I

History of this record

Date(s)

28 Aug 1925-1 Jun 1931 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Concessions, Oil, KuwaitColonial policyWater supplyMilitary policy

Places

KuwaitShuwaikhRas-al-ArdhAl-Dasmah

People & organisations

Anglo-Iranian Oil Company LimitedEastern and General Syndicate LimitedPolitical Agent, KuwaitSecretary of State for the ColoniesEmir of KuwaitFrank Holmes

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'File 86/1 I (D 73) Eastern and General Syndicate - Proposed Oil Concession in Kuwait', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/638, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000264> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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