890g.6363 T 84/46
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Standard Oil
Company of New Jersey (A. C. Bedford) to the Secretary of State
New
York, June 27,
1922.
[Received June 28.]
Dear Mr. Secretary: Referring to the conference
I had with you on Thursday of last week with reference to Mesopotamia
and the rights of the Turkish Petroleum Company, I beg to transmit
herewith for the information of the Department, copy of the cablegram
which I sent last night to Sir Charles Greenway of the Persian Oil
Company, said cablegram having been agreed to at a meeting of the
Executives of the several Companies held in my office yesterday
afternoon.
As it is possible that the British Foreign Office may mention the matter
to the American Ambassador in London, it has occurred to me that the
Department might think it desirable to communicate the substance of the
despatch above referred to, to the American Ambassador.
Respectfully yours,
[Page 339]
[Enclosure—Telegram]
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Standard
Oil Company of New Jersey (A. C. Bedford) to the Chairman of the Anglo-Persian Oil
Company (Sir Charles
Greenway)
[New York,] June 26,
1922—7 p.m.
Referring further your telegram June 8th have conferred with State
Department and obtained its consent to discuss a practical basis of
American participation provided:
- First: That the principle of the
open door already acquiesced in for mandated territories by
the Allied Powers be maintained;
- Second: that the Department does
not withdraw its previously communicated views respecting
validity of Turkish Petroleum Company’s claims. Department
has no objections however to use of Turkish Petroleum
Company as a basis for working out some plan acceptable to
all participants which later should be ratified or adopted
by the Government ruling Mesopotamia which should possess
sovereignty.
- Third: that any arrangement of
practical questions involved should be tentative and subject
to acceptance by State Department after they have been
advised as to its details. The seven American companies
interested have considered views of State Department and
questions concerning American participation and their views
are that percentage you indicated to me would not be
adequate from point of view of what would be an equitable
proportion to allocate to American interests. If on
foregoing information you feel that representative of
American group should now visit London to discuss details
with Turkish Petroleum Company such a representative will be
selected and will probably be able to sail not later than
July 8th. We await your further views by cable.
