Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎15v] (32/284)

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Enclosure in No. 2.
(Confidential.)
No. C/5 of 1932. iroo
Sir , 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. , Bahrein, 11th January, 19^.
1 have the honour to enclose in duplicate a communication I have received
from Major Frank Holmes on behalf of the Eastern General Syndicate, together with
two copies of the proposed Concession Agreement.*
The Ruler of Bahrein is by Treaty precluded from entering into concessions for
petroleum without the consent of His Majesty's Government and this will, therefore,
require a reference to them. The matter was discussed with you on your recent
visit to Bahrein, and need not, therefore, be dealt with at length. I may, however, i
say that I consider the State would be foolish to part with a further area until they
see the result of the borehole now being made. If the bore is successful, the
remaining area will naturally be of immense value and the signing away of this
potential asset for the sum of Rs. 10,000/- per year would appear most inadvisable.
Further the additional Concession would be a powerful bargaining counter should the
State desire to amend the original Concession in any way in the light of their
experience.
If no oil is found by the present bore the matter assumes a different aspect and
could then be reconsidered in the light of information disclosed by deep boring. The
Company have, of course, still to select their 100,000 acres and this area should, in
itself, enable them to test thoroughly the potentialities of Bahrein.
I have, &c.,
C. G. Prior,
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. , Bahrein.
The Honourable 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. , Bush ire.
Copy of Letter dated the 21st December, 1931, from Major Frank Holmes,
Eastern and General Syndicate, Limited, Bahrein, to 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. ,
Bahrein.
I am instructed by the Board of Directors of the Eastern and General
Syndicate, Limited, to renew this Company's application made through me as its
legal Attorney, on 23rd April, 1928, and 17th June, 1930, for an oil concession
covering all that area of His Excellency Shaikh Hamad bin Shaikh Isa al Khalifa's
territory lying outside the 100,000 acres granted to the Eastern and General Syndicate,
Limited, under the Concession Agreement dated December, 1925.
I am enclosing three copies of the proposed Concession Agreement which has
been drawn up on the exact terms and conditions as that of 2nd December, 1925,
agreed by the Colonial Office in conference with representative of the Eastern and
General Syndicate, Limited.
T would be pleased if you would kindly lay this application before the Bahrein
Government as early as convenient to you.
C. 98035/32 [No. 16].
No. 3.
The SECRETARY OF STATE to 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. .
(No. 1.)
SlR > Downing Street, 25th April, 1932
I have the honour to refer to your despatch No. 6 of the 15th of Februaryt
forwarding a further application from the Eastern and General Syndicate for an extended
oil concession in Bahrein.
* Not printed. j 2