875.6363/73: Telegram

The Minister in Albania (Grant-Smith) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

33. An official of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has admitted that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company has again submitted modified proposals which now provide for a two years’ monopoly for the prospecting of 200,000 hectares. I understand that the contract has been withdrawn from the committee by the Government in order to make modifications. …

The French Chargé, now at Scutari, urges a joint note to protest against admission of British modifications and to demand that all proposals be considered together by the National Assembly. If the latter suggestion were adopted it might be detrimental to the Standard Oil Company but advantageous to the Sinclair Company and it would also doubtless greatly protract the negotiations. I respectfully request early instructions. All of Legation’s information tends to indicate postponement of definite action until after the settlement of the frontiers.

Grant-Smith