890F.6363/31: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:45 a.m.]
1221. General Maxwell37 informs me that he has suggested to War Department that General Spalding38 who is proceeding to this area be requested to cause a survey to be made of possible defense and denial measures applicable to the oil companies at Bahrein and in Saudi Arabia which have recently been the subject of an informal investigation by Lieutenant Commander Lockard, United States Naval Observer at Basra.
As Department is aware this question has been the subject of messages from this Legation and the Legation at Jidda and in view of fact that any action along this line may involve presence in Saudi Arabia of American experts I urge that Moose be kept informed of developments in order that he may be in position to give advice and recommend measures with a view to minimizing danger of arousing Saudi Arabian susceptibilities at this time.
Repeated to Jidda.