Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎90v] (182/284)

164
on Co m pa T got the —t
from thTidmiraHv point of view. Also in Clause 10, it was suggested that a provision
might be inserted to the effect that all dealings with the Shaikh should be conducted
Sgh the Resident, and that the Company should maintain a local
who should be a British subject. It was also considered advisable that in Clause 13 the
expression " British company " should be defined as suggested.
0. 98026/32 [No. 109].
No. 165.
The UNITED STATES CHARGE D'AFFAIRES to FOREIGN OFFICE.
(Copy received in Colonial Office, 16th September, 1932.)
♦
[Answered hy No. 166.]
(No. 231.) _ T
Embassy of the United States of America, London,
^ JR 6th September, 193^.
I have the honour to refer to your note No. E 1733/121/91 of 9th April,
1932, # in which you were good enough to inform me that should the Eastern and
General Syndicate desire to renew their application to the Shaikh of Kuwait for an oil
concession, which they would subsequently transfer to another company. His Majesty's
Government will raise no objection to the application being taken into consideiation
together with any other applications for oil concessions which may be foithcommg
from other quarters. i ^ n *
In this connexion my Government has been informed by the interested American
company that the Eastern and General Syndicate addressed a letter on 10th June,
1932, t to the Colonial Office requesting information as to whether the draft of a proposed
concession (with special reference to Clause 8 thereof) with the Shaikh of Kuwait was
satisfactory from the point of view of safeguarding the interests of His Majesty s
Government, and, in addition, requesting an indication of wherein it failed to do so.
It is represented that the failure of the Colonial Office to give m reply a definite
indication of its views in this matter prevents the Shaikh of Kuwait from taking a
decision on the draft concession which the Eastern and General Syndicate submit e
to him on 26th May, 1932,1 since he is barred from taking action before knowing
what safeguards His Majesty's Government requires in a concession which is eventually
to be assigned to a British or Canadian incorporated company controlled by American
interests; meanwhile, it is stated, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company has submitted a
draft concession which the Shaikh of Kuwait is being urged to grant immediately
Inasmuch as the question of safeguards does not arise m the case of this proposed
Antflo-Persian concession, the Shaikh of Kuwait is presumably free to make a decision
on It at any time. Thus the Eastern and General Syndicate is placed in a disadvan
tageous position, since it is unable to obtain consideration from the Shaikh of Kuwait
for its draft concession because, it is represented to my Government of the failure
of the Colonial Office promptly to furnish the information requested nearly three
months ago by the Eastern and General Syndicate.
In view of the above considerations and the assurances given me m your note
of 9th April, which was duly and textually transmitted to my Government, I have been
directed to invite this matter to your attention and to urge that appropriate steps
mav be taken in order that the American interest involved may be placed m as favour
able a position as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in having its application considered
bv the Shaikh of Kuwait. t . 0
1 have, &c.,
RAY ATHERTON.
Charge d'Affaires ad interim.
t No. 143.