856d.6363/12: Telegram
The Minister in the Netherlands (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:03 p.m.]
237. Your 535, August 18th, 1 p.m. The representative of an important oil corporation (not Standard Oil Company) is now in The Hague and through me is in touch with the Foreign Office concerning oil concessions in the Dutch East Indies, especially the Djambi concession. He informs me that because of the pressure which the Legation has already exercised the Foreign Office seem favorably disposed to grant American capital concessions in the Dutch East Indies, not only for oil but also in other fields, having in mind that in the event of foreign encroachment the Dutch East Indies might receive American support. He received the impression at the same time that the Djinbi [Djambi] concession had been promised to the Royal Dutch-Shell but that American capital could receive other concessions.
This, in the opinion of my informant, is not good enough because it is the Djambi concessions alone which offer good oil investment. He feels that if the Legation were in a position to adopt a really strong attitude to the effect that American capital should be allowed to participate in the Djambi concessions, the final agreement with the Royal Dutch not having been actually signed, it might still be possible for American capital to enter the field. The official in the Colonial Office who has the final authority is returning from his holiday in a few days and it is therefore of importance that I receive instructions immediately if I am to adopt such a position on behalf of American capital.
It is the representative of the Sinclair Consolidated Oil Corporation of New York who is referred to.