867.6363/5: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
2043. Following cable sent at request of Requa, of Fuel Administration.
“American oil interests are seriously considering examination of Mesopotamia and Palestine with view of acquiring oil territory. Will such activities meet approval American Government and will conditions of peace treaty be such as to permit American companies to enter that region under terms of equality as compared with foreign [Page 253] companies in their relations to their respective governments. It is important to know before beginning such examination that territory is not already all apportioned or so disposed of as to make acquisitions by American companies impossible. People having this matter under consideration are not connected in any way with Standard Oil group.”