ملف ٣٨٧٧ لسنة ١٩١٢، الجزء ٤، "تركيا الآسيوية: الامتيازات النفطية" [و‎‎٥‎٣] (١٧٦/٤٧)

confidential.
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Sir (hoard Grey to Sir L. Mallet {Constantinople).
(No. 299.') ^ ^ Foreign Office, July 7, 1914, 4 p.m.
YOUR telegram No. 410 of 6 th July : Oil concessions in Nejd.
We had fully considered question of introducing Turkish Petroleum Company into
Nejd and Basra ; as 50 per cent, of capital and chairman will he British, its constitution
is less open to objection than any other oil company apart from Anglo-Persian, which,
for political reasons, it is inexpedient to introduce into Turkey. Pearsons are not
acting for themselves alone, but for an international syndicate. Moreover, settlement
reached with Germany lessens danger of German consular intrigues in Nejd or
El Hasa, wdiile I can think of no arrangement that would eliminate it altogether.
Company have, I understand, already addressed certain applications to Tali of
Basra in respect of areas both in Basra and Nejd, but most satisfactory course in
regard to those provinces would still be for company’s agents in Constantinople to
make direct agreement with Silley at early date.
As to Bin Saud, I am consulting India Office ; but I should be glad to know when
his appointment as Vali is likely to be publicly announced, and, I think, in view of
agreement reached with him by Ottoman Government, that there is no longer any
adequate reason for deferring settlement as to our own interests in Nejd and El Hasa,
to which India Office attach much importance. Hakki Pasha has asked for authority
to discuss question, and he is fully cognisant of our wishes. It would be satisfactory
to all concerned if this question, which should not entail lengthy negotiation, could be
frankly discussed at once.
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