Coll 30/47 'Koweit: Education of Sheikh's Son' [‎56r] (111/122)

Major Holmes should write in setting out the position,
with a view to a reply on the lines of the conversation
reported above being given to him. (It might be added that
who . .
Mr. Gordon George/is at present working on manuscripts
in the Foreign Office, told me before the interview that
Major Holmes had informed him that he was the authorised
representative of the Colonial Office in Koweit.)
Bahrein Oil . It will be remembered that the Bahrein
Petroleum Company have struck oil and are anxious to
secure two minor modifications in their agreement. It
has been agreed that this may be granted, but subject to
a further modification in the interests of the Sheikh.
Major Holmes said that the Company were extremely anxious
to get an early decision and that he had learned from the
Colonial Office of our desiderata and that no difficulty
would arise over these* I said that if that was the case
there seemed no reason why a decision should be delayed*
He proceeded to discuss our requirement that he should
spend most of the year in Bahrein, regarding which he said
he had been informed by Mr. Jansfen, Junior, that I had
CfVlIJ
told him 'that we were not satisfied with the present
^ (f .
condition of things, under which he spent a considerable
portion of the year away from the islands. I said that
as regards this we stood on our agreement; that possibly
the point was one of less importance at the moment in the
early stages of oil development in Bahrein, but that there
could be no question if things developed further that he
would be required to remain there for most of the year*
Major Holmes expressed regret at this thri-e-and said that
he hoped we should not make residence a further condition
of our agreement to the modifications now desired by the
Syndicate.
1/