File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎243r] (117/280)

ie RussiaiC®
ian<
im
t Offices te;
mi it is#
show that tie to
certain fresh responsibilities in S. Persia which must be pro
tected.
There are indications that some of the important tribes
of the S. are seeking to band themselves together, presumably
in anticipation of possible developments in the N. after the
Coronation, which they fear may affect their interests adversely.
There are also indications that certain of these tribes are desirous
of entering upon closer relations with H. M. G.
Sd-W. Townley."
In other words, as Russia has avowedly committed breaches
of international law in Northern Persia, England demands
concessions from her at the expense of Persia in the neutral
zone as balm for her wounded sense of justice. For, of what
nature are the obligations, so delicately hinted at, which England
took over ? What agreement has the English Government
arrived at with the A. P. O. C. ?
The A. P. O. C. (Anglo Persian Oil Company) is nothing
but the English Government itself, who stands behind the
Company founded in 1909, when the immense oil wells in South
ern Persia were opened (extending in the direction of Shushter
to Bender Abbas). On June 18 lh , ip 1 #* proposal of the
English government that Great Britain should participate to
the amount of £ 2,001 000 in the enterprise was accepted by
254 against 18 votes in the House of Commons.
The distribution of the share capital is the following:
English Government £ 2 001 000
Other interests, preeminently the English Burmah
Oil Co £ 1 999 000
£ 4 OOO OOO
$
siaa f
lUli
The English Government, who have a representative of
the Treasury and the Admiralty on the Board, who has the
right of veto, have the majority with £ 200© shares.
For the protection of these oil fields which according to the
statement of the president of the A. P. O. C., Greenway, are
of such a yield as to be able to cope with more than all the
requirement of the British Navy" the English advance into the