Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎139r] (279/284)

251
to the Shaikh that he has noticed the distressed condition of Kuwait with pain, and
that he will be prepared to ease off the blockade at once either entirely or in part,
if he, the Shaikh, will agree to give his consent to the Standard Oil working the Neutral
Zone. Probably also he will suggest that the Shaikh receive a certain share in the
oil profits of the Hassa Concession, as a result of meeting him in this matter.
11. Any difficulties that might have arisen between the Eastern and General
Syndicate, Limited, and the Standard Oil (both represented by Holmes) in the matter
of the exploitation of the Neutral Zone have probably already been arranged; and
Holmes' visit to Bin Saud at Jeddah was no doubt partly connected with such adjust
ment.
12. Bin Saud will no doubt now expect the Shaikh^ as per plan already made,
to reply agreeing with his request (in spite of the fact that 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. on
his recent visit to Kuwait reminded the Shaikh that he must make no decision in regard
to the Neutral Zone without reference to His Majesty's Government).
13. The Shaikh will no doubt secretly give his consent to Bin Saud and then
tell His Majesty's Government that he desires their permission to agree to Bm Saud s
conditions, seeing that the benefits to be gained will be of such vital importance to
Kuwait.
14. Bin Saud for his part will doubtless guarantee the Shaikh to get His Majesty s
Government to put no difficulties in the Shaikh's way.
15. Bin Saud at one stroke will (a) please Kuwait by settling the blockade ques
tion; (b) please His Majesty's Government by so doing; (c) get the Americans into
the Neutral Zone,
16. Then will follow the last and final move. Bin Saud will probably then
inform the Shaikh that it will he quite impossible for him, the Shaikh, to ^J «
Kuwait Oil Concession to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and that he must sett
the matter in favour of Major Holmes and the Americans—his official re ^ n ' ^
that to have the Standard Oil working alongside of the An g! 0 - P ff a " 2!, ^ 3n t ed
as rivals in the same area will create an impossible situation. It will further ^ " nf
out that the suspected oil is in North Hassa and the Neutral Zone, and the port ot
Kuwait will be needed for the export of such oil.
17, Lastly, it will be pointed out that the prosperity of Kuwait will be assured
for all time with
(a) the blockade removed; • • ^ ai, -n.'* rv^w-
(h) a percentage of oil revenues from Hassa going into the Shaikh poc ,
(c) the Shaikh getting all the profits from his Kuwait proper oil profits.
18, It may at this stage be even suggested as a further " bai ^''^
Standard Oil (Holmes) get Kuwait as well as Hassa, all profits from Hassa,
Zone and Kuwait may he pooled between Kuwait and Sandiyeh.
1 QThe final result if everything goes according to plan, will be a close
Kuwait, in the eyes of the Arab world, be impaired. .
20. Th. above i.,I M*. M-J
crux of the b ^T SS u 4d a^a pawn by'either Bin Saud, the Shaikh of Kuwait,
must this be a^wed Government's permission, for whoever gets the
H. E. P. Dickson,
Lieutenant-Colonel,
Bushire, 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.
7th June, 1933.
18119/38 [No. 167]. No 278
INDIA OFFICE The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to COLONIAL OFFIOK^ ^ ^ ^
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