"الملف 38/3 II شركة امتيازات النفط المحدودة: امتياز قطر" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٢] (٣٣٦/٢٠٣)

copy
From: Company Representative
To: Liaison Officer.
Doha.
Memo No.P.16. 104
Date: 25rd July, 1949
I visited Shaik Saoud’s representative in Wakra this
morning and informed him that the Company were re-erecting
the beacon on the top of Jabel V/akra and that we did not wish
it to be tampered with in any way. He informed me that Shaik
Saoud would most definitely not approve and that it would be
better for me to see him.
I therefore went to Lucher in company with the Representative
and interviewed Shaikh Saoud. He stated most definitely that he
did not recognise the right of the Company to erect any construction
on Jebel Wakra without his permission and this he was not prepared to
give. In his opinion Jebel Wakra and the town belonged to him and
if the Company wished to erect any form of construction either the
Company or the Ruler must pay him, for this facility, iw I informed
him that we could not possibly treat with him, that we recognised
only the Ruler and that the order to proceed with the construction
came from the Political Agent himself. If therefore he defied both
the Ruler and the Political Agent he waild do so at his own peril.
The interview was perfectly friendly but he was quite adamant
in his attitude and stated thatjfie would undoubtedly do his best
to destroy anything that we erected.
I proceeded to Umm Said and informed the Terminal Superintendent.
Later Mr. McQuaid who was in charge of the erection of the beacon
on Jabel Wakra returned and informed me that the Representative
from Shaik Saoud had approached him and informed him that work must
stop. At his approach all the coolies stopped work and in the circum
stances Mr. McQuaid brought all his coolies back to Umm Said and ceased
operations. He informed me that it was only on the condition that
he ceased work would the pole be left upright and untouched. In the
circumstances I think he acted correctly in retiring without causing
any incident.
I understand from the Terminal Superintendent that he has
given order for the work to be continued tomorrow and only to be
terminated if there appears a risk of physical violence. I shall
be present tomorrow to see the results of this decision and will
endeavour to ensure that no incident occurs.
Two guards were provided from Umm Said who even now are on
duty on top of the Jabel. They were not however prepared to
interfere in the matter of the continuance of the work.
I have recounted the events to the Ruler's Representative
who refuses to either inform the Ruler of what took place or to
take any positive action. He states that even if guards are
requested from the Ruler he doubts if he will provide them.
(Sgd.) C.E.S. Tirbutt
cpd / ACM