Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎135r] (271/284)

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Holmes arrived in April with the primary object of obtaining Ibn Saud s assent to
concession in Kuwait and neutral zone and discovered that there was nothing doing m
that direction. He may also have found however that he was not persona grata 01
any purpose except apparently the enlargement of the field of competition or le
Hasa concession. This might explain his rapid departure at the time when the King
was expected to visit Jeddah within a few days.
These considerations might have a bearing on future developments concerning
Kuwait and neutral zone concession if there is any foundation for Dickson s surmise
that Shaikh of Kuwait and Ibn Baud have been exchanging views about oil.
The Kintf hopes perhaps one day to reduce Kuwait to position ot ins vassal, rie
might well wish therefore to influence the Shaikh's policy in the sense adverse to
Anglo-Persian Oil Company but not necessarily favourable to Holmes. Might he not
prefer to see Standard California, who are already in Bahrein and have now got
concession for Hasa coast, cut out all present candidates for Kuwait and neutral zone
including Eastern Gulf to which Holmes is committed in respect 0 £ these two areas.
This of course is mere conjecture as I am not aware whether Standard California
want to enter further areas in question. t > i,-
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 10 Saving, repeated to Bushire.
18119/33 [No. 145].
No. 267.
The SECRETAEY 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. .
(Sent 7 p.m., 20th June, 1933.)
Telegram.
[Answered by No. 269.]
^ No^T. Please furnish by telegraph a brief summary of your discussions with
Shaikh of Kuwait regarding oil blockade. Please furnish also as soon as possib e }y
air mail a full account of these discussions. Fortnightly reports on oil position shou d
continue to be furnished by Dickson. You will appreciate that it is most importan
that His Majesty's Government should be kept in closest touch with all developments
on these questions.— Cunliffe-Ltster.
18119/33 [No. 150].
No. 268.
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 11.15 p.m., 20th June, 1933.)
Telegram.
20 th June . Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies No. 13 repeated
to Jeddah No. 483 copy by post to Government of India. Jeddah telegram ot loth
June, No. 118* to Foreign Office.
Following from 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. , Kuwait:
Beqins Letter from Ibn Saud arrived 16th June and was at once shown
to me Letter is so obscurely worded as to be almost untranslatable. Contains
nothing about oil but makes following suggestions for settling blockade dispute.
Shaikh to raise his sea customs to same figure as that existing m King s Hasa
ports (i.e., from 4 to approximately (?7) (70) per cent.). King in return to take
only " Khawa " or tribal tax on caravans going into the interior at rate collected
in Ibn Rashid's time by certain tribes (which would total 3 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per camel).
His Majesty urges Shaikh to settle business privately and not through His Majesty's
Government, who are not to be trusted.—
This proposal is unacceptable to the Shaikh who proposes to reply accordingly,
and to press for his original suggestion of Nejd customs posts along the frontier.
* Enclosure in 18148/33 [No. 17] : not printed.