'Oil Concessions' [‎301r] (611/734)

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(full) confidence. They were aware of no British ,
subject who won la satisfy this requirement* Ma;; o r
golme s asked whether it would satisfy His Majesty's
(joVBrmiient if it weie lain down that no representative
of tu® ^offipciiSiiould approach the Sheikh except through
the British 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. at Bahrein.
Sir John ShTJckluir^h said that it was essential that
a fritihu suoject should oe the chief local representative
of tne Gompany. He must he the Company's 'ITuciber One'
in Bahrein. It was, he thought, a matter of indifference
to Eis Majesty's Grovernment whether or not he had any
control over the technical operations of the Gompany.
The relations between the British Manager and the official
in cLarge of the technical operations was a matter of
intern ax arrangement within the Company, and one with
which is ajesty's government were not concerned. '
But it was, from their point of view, essential that
the Oompany's official charged with responsiMlity for
a.11 dealings with the Sheikh and the local authorities
should "be a British subject and should, nominally at
least, be the chief local representative of the Company.
He would have thought that such an arrangement was in
the interest of the Company themselves. His Majesty's
Government would, he thought, be perfectly satisfied if
Kajor Holmes were appointed as the Company's local
Manager at Bahrein. If the American group were so
avers e from agreeing to the principle of the appointment
of a British subject, could it not be mutually agreed
hat Major Holmes should be the first local General
onager, and that the appointment of his successor should
• *
Object to the approval of His Majesty's Government,
^ yor Holmes said that, for his part, he would
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(full) confidence. They were aware of no BritisH
subject wtio would satisfy this requirements Maior
Holies asked whether it would satisfy His Majesty's
government if it were laid down that no representative
of the Company should approach the Sheikh except through
ttie British 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. at Bahrein.
Sir John Shu ckhnrgh said that it was essential that
a British subject should "be the chief local representative
of the Company. He must "be the Company's ♦Numher One*
in Bahrein. It was, he thought, a matter of indifference
to His Majesty's Government whether or not he had any
control over the technical operations of the Company.
The relations "between the British Manager and the official
in charge of the technical operations was a matter of
internal arrangement within the Company, and one with
which His Hajesty's government were not concerned. «
But it was, from their point of view, essential that
the Company's official charged with responsihility for
all dealings with the Sheikh and the local authorities
should he a British subject and should, nominally at
least, he the chief local representative of the Company.
He would have thought that such an arrangement was in
the interest of the Company themselves. His Majesty's
Government would, he thought, he perfectly satisfied if
lajor Holmes were appointed as the Company's local
Manager at Bahrein. If the American group were so
averse from agreeing to the principle of the appointment
Qf a British subject, could it not he mutually agreed
that Major Holmes should he the first local General
Manager, and that the appointment of his successor should
subject to the approval of His Majesty's Government.
Major Holmes said that, for his part, he would
Prepared to accept the post, and he thought it possible
^at such an appointment would he acceptable to tie
^ Q^ican group. In conversations which he had had with
k Wallace, who virtually controlled the American group.
he