Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎47v] (96/284)

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to you a copy of a letter* which has been addressed to the Bahrein Petroleum Company
on the subject of their application for an extension of their prospecting licence.
2. I take this opportunity to enclose a copy of correspondence t with the Treasury
Solicitor regarding the interpretation of Article IV of the Company's Concession
Agreement. This correspondence was initiated in accordance with the decision
recorded in paragraph 17 of the record of the meeting held at the Colonial Office on
the 3rd of May4 A further communication will be addressed to you when the Com
pany have furnished the further information asked for, and when the advice tendered
by the Treasury Solicitor has been considered in consultation with the other interested
departments of His Majesty's Government.
I have, &c.,
P. CFNLIFFE-LISTER.
18135/33 [No. 178].
No. 85.
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. to the SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 9th June, 1933.)
(Confidential.)
(No. 33.) British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. and Consulate-General,
^' IR ' Bushire, 2nd June, 1933.
I have the honour to enclose herewith copy of a letter, dated the 17th May, 1933,
received 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. , Bahrein, from Major Holmes, which raises some
important considerations. It will be observed that, in the last paragraph of his letter,
Major Holmes refers to the proposals contained in his letter as the C£ offer of His
Excellency (the Shaikh). It is obvious that the latter is quite incapable of drawing
up such a complicated document, and I have received a brief telegram from Colonel
Loch that the offer came in fact from Major Holmes. Unfortunately a further
communication from Colonel Loch, mentioned in his telegram as being sent bv post,
has been over-carried to Basrah, it being too rough here for the steamer to land the
mails. I hope to be in possession of the letter bv next week when mv detailed comments
will follow.
I am sending a copy of this despatch, with enclosure, to the Government of India.
I have, &c.,
T. C. FOWLE,
Lieutenant-Colonel.
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.
Enclosure in No. 85.
The Bahrein Petroleum Company, Limited.
Dear Sir , Bahrein Islands, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , 17th May, 1933.
I have the honour to refer you to my letter dated 4th April, 1933 (copy of which
is herewith enclosed). His Excellency the Shaikh of Bahrein requested me to call at
Sakhir to discuss with him the subject-matter of the above-mentioned letter. His
Excellency informed me that, taking into consideration the stage reached in developing
the Bahrein Oil Concession, he had formed the opinion that" the Bahrein Petroleum
Company's offer, as expressed in my letter of 4th April, was inadequate. After con
siderable discussion, at which Shaikh Sulaiman was present, the result of which was
that His Excellency Shaikh Hamad agreed (subject to the approval of the Political
Resident, 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, and the Financial Adviser to the Bahrein Govern-
ment) m consideration of the payments hereinafter reserved and contained in exercise
of his powers as Ruler and Sovereign of his Dominions for himself his Heirs and
subjects, to grant unto the Bahrein Petroleum Company, Limited, the exclusive'right
and easements whereby the Company shall be entitled throughout the whole of that
portion of His Excellency the Shaikh's Territories, including all the Islands and all the
* No. 82.
t Nos. 78 and 80.
t No. 75.