'File 86/1 I (D 73) Eastern and General Syndicate - Proposed Oil Concession in Kuwait' [110r] (229/487)
The record is made up of 1 volume (244 folios). It was created in 28 Aug 1925-1 Jun 1931. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
be required by troops as camping grounds or aerodromes etc.
I would particularly draw your attention to
paragraph 8 of the draft agreement which Major Holmes ap
parently hopes will serve instead of the "nationality"
clause required to be inserted by the Colonial Office, vide
Residency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
's confidential No. 290-3 dated 4th august, and
which was duly communicated to the Shaikh by my predecessor
on 16th November 1928 and to Major Holmes on 29th November
1928, and once again by me on 8th August of this year 1930.
.<ith regard to the clause in question, the
Shaikh has intimated his profound gratitude that H .lvI .Govern-
ment have thought good to advise him to insert it in any
agreement come to wi th Llajor Holmes* Company. He recognized
he said that H.LI.Government were merely trying to make
things secure for him, and save him from getting mixed up
with foreign concerns and individuals in future, which might
ultimately bring in foreign interference.
This attitude is satisfactory, I think, and
ii the Jhaikh is to be believed, and I think he is sincere,
he will himself insist on the introduction of what he calls
the "God sent clause", whatever the future may bring, and
without any further pressure from E.M.Government.
/
Should you desire me to comment on the various
clauses of the Draft Agreement, especially having in view
H.M.Government 1 s interests, I am prepared to do so.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Lieut-Col»,
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.
About this item
- Content
The volume covers the proposal by the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited for oil concessions in Kuwait (also spelled Koweit) which were to be negotiated on the Syndicate's behalf by Major Frank Holmes.
Included within the volume are copies of the draft agreements and correspondence between the Syndicate, the Colonial Office, The Government of India, 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , The 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. in Kuwait and the Sheikh of Kuwait with regards to the various clauses proposed in the agreements. The correspondence focuses primarily on clauses in the draft agreement which would permit the Syndicate to pass any concessions granted on to their American owners, and the concerns of both the Sheikh of Kuwait (Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) and the British Government over British companies operating in Kuwait.
Further correspondence and documents of interest in the file include:
- Complete copies of the first and second proposed draft agreements, in English and Arabic with comments by British officials (folios 111-131 and folios 205-223). A further copy of the second draft, in English only and with annotations, is also included in the file (folios 6-24);
- Correspondence between the 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. ; 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. , and the Colonial Office focusing on the importance of Kuwait's strategic position in the Gulf and the likelihood of a British Military and Naval base being required again in the country once Iraq becomes independent in 1932;
- Interest in re-acquiring leases for the areas of Shuwaikh, Ras-al-Ardh, al-Dasmah and al-Nigara in Kuwait for use by the Royal Navy and Air Force;
- Correspondence regarding drilling for water and the establishment of wells which Major Holmes has undertaken for the Shaikh of Kuwait and British suspicions that the well sites are being used for speculative oil drilling;
- Correspondence between the British Government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (A.P.O.C) regarding their possible interest in the oil concession in Kuwait.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (244 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers in this file are arranged chronologically.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The volume has been foliated in the top right corner of each folio with a pencil number. The foliation sequence runs from the first to last folios, the only exception being folio 194 which is located on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of folio 193.
Foliation anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, 59A, 134A, 139A, 164A, 223A, 223B
Condition: The volume no longer has a back cover or spine, and only part of the labelling for the spine remains.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/1/638
- Title
- 'File 86/1 I (D 73) Eastern and General Syndicate - Proposed Oil Concession in Kuwait'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 1r:1v, 1ar:1cv, 2r:2v, 3v:5v, 24v:25v, 26v:29v, 30v:34v, 36v:37v, 38v:41v, 42v:43v, 44v:58v, 59ar:59av, 79v:97v, 98v:103v, 105r:110v, 131v:134v, 134ar:134av, 135r:135v, 136v:139v, 139ar, 139v:160v, 161v, 163v:164v, 164ar, 165r:193v, 195r:196v, 197v:202v, 203v:204v, 205v:223v, 223ar:223bv, 224r:235v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence