884.6363/2
The Consul General at London (Skinner) to the Secretary of
State
London, June 8,
1920.
[Received June 21.]
No. 9716
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram
of June 7, 1920,5 stating
briefly that an exploring party representing what is to all intents and
purposes, the Standard Oil Company, would reach Aden within the next few
days en route to Abyssinia, and suggesting that the American Consul at
Aden who is understood to have Abyssinia more or less under his
observation, be instructed to accompany the party, in order that the
real solidity and importance of the undertaking might be understood, or
more particularly in order that our fellow citizens might have some
American official representative on the spot in the event of any
discussions arising between them and the Abyssinian Government.
For the further information of the Department, I am enclosing herewith a
copy of a letter dated June 7, 1920, addressed to me by Mr. Charles E.
Dudley of the Anglo-American Oil Company, Limited. The Anglo-American
Oil Company, as the Department no doubt knows, is a British Company
practically owned by the Standard Oil Company. In this letter Mr. Dudley
furnishes all useful particulars with regard to the Concession in
Abyssinia and present plans for working it. The Concession is dated
August 26th 1915 and one of its conditions is that work must be
commenced before August 26th 1920. As the Concession was only brought to
the attention of American Oil interests a few weeks ago, it was
indispensable that practical steps be taken immediately, and therefore a
steamer has been despatched to Jibuti with oil-drilling machinery on
board and an exploring party have already proceeded on a passenger
steamer as stated above.
I look upon the enterprise as the most important commercial undertaking
ever organised for business purposes in Abyssinia, as it is backed by an
abundance of capital and represents no political interest of any
character. It seems to me, therefore, very important that during the
initial stages of the exploration, we should have someone in Abyssinia
to whom our fellow citizens can appeal in certain circumstances and
while the presence of the American Consul at Aden would answer all
immediate requirements, I suggest that the time has come when we should
be permanently represented at Addis-Ababa.
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As the Department knows, for many years we have had a very large trade in
Abyssinia in American sheeting, indeed the largest trade of the country,
and we are importers of the few raw products which Abyssinia has to
sell.
The American Oil interests now under consideration have taken up a
Concession for a comparatively small area, but it is proposed to explore
the country thoroughly, and if oil is found in sufficiently large
quantities, to lay a pipe line to the coast and to make other
arrangements for handling the business upon a comprehensive scale.
I am very hopeful that under these circumstances the Department will be
inclined to take some action in the sense of the foregoing
suggestions.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Mr. Charles E.
Dudley of the Anglo-American Oil Company,
Limited, to the American Consul General at London
(Skinner)
Dear Mr. Skinner: Following our
conversation of to-day I beg to advise you of the following details
of the Expedition now on its way to Abyssinia, in connection with a
Petroleum Concession in that country.
Messrs. H. H. Topakyan formerly Persian Consul General in N. York,
and Hagob Baghdassarian, brother-in-law of the present Empress of
Abyssinia and formerly Controller of the Mint in Abyssinia, are
holders of a Mineral Concession including Petroleum, direct from the
Abyssinian Government in the Province of Harrar, Abyssinia. This
Concession is dated August 26th 1915 and runs for 50 years, but a
special condition is that work must be commenced within a period of
5 years, that is before August 26th 1920.
Owing to the War the Concession holders have been unable to commence
work and they approached the undersigned and associates with a view
of obtaining assistance to not only validate the Concession by
preliminary work, but also to actively develop same provided the
conditions justify.
While the Concession covers all mineral rights in the Province of
Harrar, the undersigned has only obtained the petroleum rights. The
terms are that work is to begin as soon as possible, but not later
than August 26th 1920. The Abyssinian Government is to receive 8% in
value of any results obtained and the remainder is to be divided
between the two Concession holders above and the undersigned, in the
proportion of 25% and 75%. As a consideration, the
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undersigned and associates have agreed
to spend not less than £25,000 in the expense of an expedition to
render the Concession valid, by endeavoring to develop the petroleum
deposits if any.
A small expedition therefore, left Marseilles on the 5th inst. for
Addis-Ababa via Jibuti. On arrival their first object will be to
confirm the Concession rights with the Abyssinian Government and to
announce their intention of immediately proceeding to work same.
Following them, and leaving here not later than Thursday or Friday
of this week, will be a competent oil-well driller and assistant,
together with the necessary machinery for a preliminary test well.
This apparatus and the personnel will go direct by steamer to Jibuti
and from there to the interior. The first work will probably be done
in the vicinity of Adde-Gala on the railway at a point about 9 miles
from the line, and where petroleum indications have been
reported.
A prominent member of the expedition is Dr. Barnum Brown of the
American Museum of Natural History in New York, a scientist and
geologist who has conducted several expeditions in the Western
States, Cuba and South America for the American Institute and the
recovery of fossil specimens of great value. Dr. Brown has written
in the Geographic Magazine at some length on his previous
expeditions. His work with this expedition will be to investigate
the geological formation of the country comprised in the above
Concession with a view to advising as to further development, if in
his opinion, the indications will justify.
I am this morning in receipt of a letter from Hagob Baghdassarian
from Marseilles urging strongly that, in view of the American
character of the expedition, that the American Consul at Aden be
requested to accompany the members of the expedition to Addis-Ababa
and give them what official assistance he can. If this can be
arranged it will be of great service, and should only be the
forerunner of the appointment of a permanent representative of the
American Consular Service at Addis-Ababa.
In this connection, and in order that time might be saved, I would
strongly recommend that Major S. S. Rooney, an American citizen and
late of the U. S. Army, who accompanies Dr. Barnum Brown, be at
least temporarily appointed American Consular representative at
Addis-Ababa until a successor can be appointed and reach the
country.
With the above facts before you, I trust that you will be able to
communicate with the Department in Washington in such a manner as
will ensure the expedition being supported, as I feel that the
interests involved are to a certain extent, national.
Thanking you [etc.]