"ملف ٥/ ٥ الكبريت الموجود في الكويت" [و‎‎١‎٤] (٥٤٨/٢٧)

Telegram. W S W .
From. Political Agent, Kuwait.
To. Political Resident, at Bahrain.
No. C/57.
Dated the 21st February, 1940.
3
Your telegram T/122 of February, 19th.
2. Shaikh has told me that he will keep me
informed of course of negotiations and that he will seek our
advice. He has also told Rhoades this I therefore do not think
it necessary to inform him as contemplated in paragraph 2 of
India Office No. P.Z.64 of January 27th.
3. The fact that Rhoades has come to Kuwait to
negotiate on behalf of an American concern, should convey to the
Shaikh an impression of the acquiescence of His Majesty* s
Government. I think we should make sure that this is so for
Shaikh is probably secretly pleased (in view of preponderance
of local opinion of superiority of American Oil Companies over
British) at arrival of an American and we should make it plain
that this is only at His Majesty*s Government*s acquiescence,
for Shaikh should not be allowed to think for a moment that
His Majesty* s Government do not take a full interest in Kuwait.
view ot slowing up of the Kuwait Oil
Company s operations Shaikh proposes to demand speedy exploration
which from what I have gathered from Rhoades the Gulf Company
are not contemplating. It may therefore be that His Majesty’s
Government’s help will be required as per last sentence of para*
graph 4 of P.Z.64
V
POLITICAL.