"ملف ٥ /١ VI شركة نفط الكويت" [و‎‎٢‎٩‎٥] (٦٢٠/٥٩٤)

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that the Oil negotiations had been suspended, until such
time as he (the Shaikh) decided to reopen them again.
8 # This seemed to sober Major Holmes completely,
and he left me saying that he would discuss the matter with
the Shaikh, who was dining with him.
9* The same evening at 8 p.m., and whilst the Shaikh
was at his house, I received a note from Major Holmes,
worded as follows:-
Dear Dickson,
The question of my being informed about
the postponement of any discussions regarding the
concession, is this way: His ihccellency informed
my Representative, who wrote me to Bahrain, and
he has now told me the position, which is in
accordance with what you told me.
I remain etc.,
10. This being a very Isme way out of his "lie”,
in my opinion, I decided to see the Shalkh/on the 23rd
May, at 9 a.m., so as to clear up the whole matter: His
Excellency after listening to my story of Major Holmes
"denial” with interest, remarked, "Not only did Holmes
lie to you, but I made him admit to me last night at dinner,
that he had lied: He could not do otherwise, seeing that
Mohamed Yatim, his Agent, was at dinner also, and told me
in Arabic, which Holmes does not understand, that he had
sent him full details by wire to Bahrain on 13th May, of
my decision and had fully explained the position on the
steamer, to his chief".
11. The Shaikh added that he had told Major Holmes
that he had made a "great and serious mistake", and further
volunteered the remark that "perhaps Holmes had been drink
ing Brandy".
12. X mention the above story, with reluctance, not
because X wish to say anything disparaging about i^ajor
Holmes Character, but to enable you to appreciate the
Kuwait.
22nd May
Frank Holmes.
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