ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20729, 14 December 1932, Page 11

ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL.

CONCESSION FOR 60 t YEARS. CANCELLATION ILLEGAL. BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S INTERESTS. •BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received December 13th, 5.5 p.m.) j RUGBY, December 32. Further particulars regarding the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's D'Arcy concession wero given by Captain. R. A. Eden (Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) in response to a question in the Houso of Commons. Ho said that the concession was granted by tho Persian Uovreiimcnt i'or GO years from May, 1901, and that it contained no provision which would now allow cancellation by either side. The concession provided for an annual payment to the Persian Government of 10 per cent, of the annual not profits of any companies formed to operate the concession. The total sum paid to the Persian Govvernment in royalties up to December 31st, 1931, amounted to £11,265,000. Tho present holdings of tho British Government in the Auglo-Persiau Company- were 7,500,000 £1 shares, 1000 £1 preioreneo shares and £99,000 in iivc per ceut. debentures. The total amount received by the British Government from tho company in. dividends and interest up to tho present time was £9,977,344. DAMAGE TO WELLS | REPORTED. NO CONFIRMATION OF THE j DISTURBANCES LONDON, December 12. j Jorusalem newspaper reports state that a mob surrounded tho Anglo-Per-sian Oil Company's offices at Abadan, threatening tho staff, and necessitating troops being called out for protection. It is also stated that tho oil wells at Masjad Suleimann, which arc the company's main source of supply, were invaded and damaged after tho workers had gone home. The company's London offices have no confirmation of the stories of disturbances. THREAT TO NAVAL OIL SUPPLY. PERSIA ORDERS MUNITIONS. LONDON, December 2. Official circles aro closely watching the Persian situation, in view of the threat to tho Navy's oil supplies, brought about by the cancellation by the Persian Government of the AngloPersian Oil Company's concession. It is hoped that the Anglo-Persian Company will induce Persia to rescind tho annulment without diplomatic intervention, but it is realised that this is less a commercial dispute than an outbreak of Persian nationalism with which it is difficult to deal. The Persian Legation in London reveals that Persia has ordered quantities of munitions from America and that, a consignment of American aeroplane engines has arrived in London for shipmeut to Persia. It is also learned that tho Persian Government is about to grant a virtual monopoly of the automobile and rubber trades to American interests, over the heads of British competitors.