File 2794/1921 Pt 3 'Persian Gulf: Oil: Koweit.'

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, printed reports and notes relating to the development of oil concessions in Kuwait.

The discussion in the volume relates to:

• The 'nationality clause' whereby any concession granted had to be to a British concern
• Correspondence between British officials in London and the Gulf as to how to respond to the request of an American company to be allowed to bid for an oil concession in Kuwait
• Comparison of draft agreements for an oil concession between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ruler of Kuwait, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, or alternatively, an American company, e.g. the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited
• Correspondence between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London, and United States Embassy in London concerning the concession
• Concerns of the Admiralty Office over strategic reserves of oil for the Royal Navy.

Included in the volume is a report (ff 430-433) by 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. , Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), of the views of Major Frank Holmes, Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, on the possibility of oil being found in Kuwait, Bahrain and the Gulf generally.

The principal correspondents include: 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. , Kuwait; 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 Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office, London; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; the General Manager, Anglo-Persian Oil Company (Neville A Gass); the Advocate, the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited (Frank Holmes); the Secretary, the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited (H T Adams); the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ); and the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, the United States Embassy, London (Ray Atherton).

The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of correspondence.

Extent and format

1 volume (457 folios)

It is grouped into

'Rough sketch of 'Iraq and Persian Gulf showing the three straight lines on which in the opinion of Major Holmes, oil exists'

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/10/991, f 434

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 2794 ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. : Oil) consists of seventeen volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/989-1005. The volumes are divided into eighteen parts as follows: parts 1 and 2 comprise one volume; part 3 comprises the second volume; part 3A comprises the third volume; part 3B comprises the fourth volume; part 4 comprises the fifth volume; parts 5 and 5A comprise the sixth volume; part 6 comprises the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth volumes; parts 7, 8 and 9 comprise the eleventh volume; part 10 comprises the twelfth volume; part 12 comprises the thirteenth volume; part 14 comprises the fourteenth volume, part 15 comprises the fifteenth volume; part 16 comprises the sixteenth volume; part 17 comprises the seventeenth volume. There are no parts 11 and 13.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 457; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence between ff 31-457, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

Written in

English in Latin 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/L/PS/10/991

Former external reference(s)

P 2794/921 Pt 3A

History of this record

Date(s)

2 Jul 1931-30 Nov 1932 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

ConcessionsOil extraction

Places

Kuwait

People & organisations

Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, United KingdomAnglo-Iranian Oil Company LimitedEmir of KuwaitPolitical Agent, KuwaitPolitical Resident, Persian GulfFrank Holmes

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File 2794/1921 Pt 3 'Persian Gulf: Oil: Koweit.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/991, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x000377> [accessed 23 April 2024]

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