Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎86r] (173/284)

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3. Meanwhile steps are being taken to compile a statement containing the
observations of His Majesty's Government on the latest draft concession submitted
by the Syndicate, a copy of which accompanied Sir Hugh Biscoe's Confidential despatch
No. 20 of the 7th of June.^ These observations will take account of the criticisms
offered by the Government of India and Sir Hugh Biscoe, as well as the desiderata of
His Majesty's Government as set out in the last paragraph of my Confidential telegram
No. 3 of the 9th of May.t When the statement is ready, it will be forwarded to
you for your information and for communication to the Shaikh of Kuwait, but it
will not be communicated to the Syndicate until the proposals of the Anglo-Persian
Oil Company have been made known and have been examined both bv the Shaikh and
by His Majesty's Government.
4. I enclose for your information a copy of the recent correspondence t with
the Eastern and General Syndicate on the subject of their application.
I have, &c.
(for the Secretarv of State),
R. W. HAMILTON.
C. 98019/32 [No. 21].
No. 158.
MR. A. C. HEARN (Anglo-Persian Oil Company Limited)
to
MR. J. E. W. FLOOD (Colonial Office).
[Answered by No. 159.]
Britannic House, Finsbury Circus,
Dear Mr. Flood , London, E.C.2, 29th August, 1932.
Not long ago this Company, through the medium of its Manager in Abadan,
opened discussions with the Sheikh of Kuwait for an oil concession in his territory
on the basis of a draft agreement sent to Abadan, the terms of which, in the view
of this Company, are not only fair but generous.. A few days back we learnt by
telegram from Abadan that the Sheikh of Kuwait had expressed satisfaction at the
form of the agreement but stated that he required more time to consider it in detail,
after which he would probably request certain modifications. He declined, however,
to discuss the matter further until he had received the approval of 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. to the draft. Our representative thereupon visited the Political
Resident at Bushire in the hope that he would inform the Sheikh that he considered the
draft provided a satisfactory basis for commencing direct negotiations. This, how
ever, he has refused to do and our latest information is to the effect that he has
sent the draft agreement by last air mail to the Colonial Office and is forwarding his
comments by the next air mail.
In the circumstances as reported above, and having regard to certain other con
siderations bearing on these negotiations, I shall be very glad to have the opportunity
of calling on you to discuss the matter with the object if possible of eliminating any
avoidable circumlocution. Sir John Cadman is at present abroad, but he would, I
know, much appreciate anything that can be done with this object in view.
Yours, &c.,
A. C. HEARN.
0. 98019/32 [No. 22].
No. 159.
MR. J. E. W. FLOOD (Colonial Office)
to
MR. A. C. HEARN (Anglo-Persian Oil Company Limited).
Dear Mr. Hearn , Downing Street, 30th August, 1932.
Many thanks for your letter of the 29th of August § about the Kuwait oil con
cession. The position, as far as we are concerned, is that we have got a bare copy
* No. Ui.
t No. 140.
t Nos. 143, 145, and 156.
§ No. 158.