Abstract: This file concerns plans in 1944-45 and 1949 to open bank branches on the mainland of Saudi Arabia. The file contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Ernest Vincent Packer, Petroleum Concessions Limited, Bahrain; the Assistant Secretary to the Government of India; D Ham, Manager of the Eastern Bank Limited, Bahrain; and the Chancery, British Embassy, Jedda. There are also copies of correspondence between the India Office, the Government of India and the Political Residency at Bushire, as well as between the Foreign Office and His Majesty's Government at Jedda. In addition, there is correspondence between Ham and N S Golder, General Manager of the Eastern Bank Limited, London, gathered through interception.The correspondence from 1944-45 concerns the possibility of opening a branch of the Eastern Bank Limited on the mainland of Saudi Arabia at Dhahran [al-Ẓahrān] or Al Khobar [al-Khubar], and possibly at Ras Tanura [Ra’s Tanūrah]. Folios 31-37 include a letter and diary with details of Ham's trip to the mainland of Saudi Arabia in July 1944, his meetings with officials from the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company (later Aramco) and Saudi officials, as well as a dispute regarding his Jewish Head Clerk. In addition, the correspondence includes details of other banks making attempts to open branches on the mainland, including the Chase National Bank, the Imperial Bank of Iran, and the National City Bank of New York. There are details of conditions imposed on the National City Bank of New York for opening in Saudi Arabia (f 48) and of a visit by their representative, G Martel Hall (ff 57, 60, 65 and 67).The correspondence from 1945 (ff 71-72) concerns the possibility of the British Bank of Iran and the Middle East opening a branch at al-Khubar.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present between ff 3-72; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. The volume also contains a pagination sequence between ff 73-75.
Abstract: This file concerns suspicions of foreign agent activity in Saudi Arabia. Folios 2-5 and 8 concern suspicions held by C S Freebury of Gray Mackenzie and Company Limited at Ras Tanura, with regards to Mr Jean de Kuharski and Mr Pixton (Polish and English citizens respectively, who are said to be making a documentary film about the life of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]), and an American named William Frary. Folios 6-7 concern information received with regards to three men (two Palestinian Arabs and a Bulgarian) who have been trained in a Russian military intelligence school and who are seeking work in Aramco at Dhahran (al-Ẓahrān). The file contains correspondence between Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent at Bahrain; Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bahrain; C S Freebury of Gray Mackenzie and Company Limited at Ras Tanura; His Majesty's Minister at Jedda; and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover on folio 1 and terminates at the back cover on folio 10; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain regarding the use of pearling banks within areas of oil interest near Ras Tanura.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 11; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-8; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file concerns the proposed development of the port of Ras Tanurah (also spelled Ras Tannurah) in Saudi Arabia to service the oil industry in Hasa. The British Government did not want to encourage the development of a Saudi Arabian port (folio 73), because of the adverse economic impact it would have on Bahrain (folio 63).The papers include: a request from the Californian Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) for an Admiralty survey of the coast of Arabia, including minutes of a meeting between the Admiralty, the India Office, and the Company (folios 52-59); the conclusion of an agreement between the Government of Saudi Arabia and Gray Mackenzie & Company Limited to act as landing agents at Ras Tanurah, including correspondence from Sir Reader William Bullard, HM Minister, Jeddah; and consideration by the Government of India in 1940 whether trade with Saudi Arabia should be diverted to Ras Tanurah, with comments by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The main date range of the papers is 1936-40; there is only one item of correspondence dated 1945.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file concerns an approach to the India Office from the California Arabian Standard Oil Company Limited (CASOC), for assistance with the buoying of the channel leading to the company's chosen anchorage at Ras Tanura [Ra’s Tannūrah]. The request is contained in correspondence from the company's representative, Hamilton R Ballantyne, of Ballantyne and Company, London.The papers show that the Government of India and other British Government departments agreed to the request. The laying and maintenance of the buoys was to be undertaken by the Port Director, Basra, who would also employ a ship to carry out the work.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 56; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.