Abstract: 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 in the Persian Gulf, The Political Agent 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; Political Resident, 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.Physical description: 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 of folio 193.Foliation anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, 59A, 134A, 139A, 164A, 223A, 223BCondition: The volume no longer has a back cover or spine, and only part of the labelling for the spine remains.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, reports, plans, photographs, indentures and tables relating to the lighting and buoying of the Persian Gulf.The discussion in the volume relates to the transfer of the responsibility for lighting and buoying from the British India Steam Navigation Company to the Government of India, and the planning, costs of construction and the diplomacy associated with this.Included in the volume (ff 303-310) is the 'Report of a Committee of Enquiry on the Lighting and Buoyages of the Persian Gulf'. Key locations identified for lighting are: Muscat, Little Quoin, Jezirat Tanb, Sheikh Shuaib, Kubbar Island, Ras Al Arz, Fasht ad Dibal.The volume is part 1 of 2. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part of the year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the loose spine with 444; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.