Page 1231 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1940

Davies came in after lunch for a few minutes, he is getting very fussed.

Motored to Budeya in afternoon, put in a few seeds. A new Airways man, Stuart-Worthy came to call.

Dinner at Agency, intended for Admiral, Coates & a woman staying with them & ourselves & Howes, quite
pleasant - we played Bridge. Davies also present. Started talking oil as he left.

Sunday 5th February

Went out early to Sakhrir & had another conference, the subject being to prepare HH for an interview with
Holmes tomorrow. He was at first very unreasonable & stupid but eventually became more amenable &
the other Shaikhs were obviously exasperated & talked to him as if he was a child. Left the meeting feeling
very apprehensive about HH's likely attitude tomorrow. Office in morning, Sh A came in for a few minutes
so I didn't get much time for ordinary work. At the fort in afternoon & then Weightman came over &

discussed oil - as usual. After dinner we went to the town cinema, quite a good film. Letter to Garcia.
Warmish day, daffodils and nasturcians coming out. Not a word about the French Admiral who has quite
disappeared.

Monday 6th February

Meeting at Sakhrir, Holmes presented his final offer for Hawar. He was very subdued & there was no
unnecessary or unsuitable talk. HH having been well prompted, said very little & the interview was short.
The offer was exactly what we expected. Returned to office & Sh Mohammed & I went over my draft letter

which he thought good. Spent most of the day getting it typed & then went out again to HH in the evening
& got him to sign it, he read it over very carefully & discussed a few points & agreed with the letter, the
only point he seemed interested about was his hunting land not being disturbed - a selfish point of view.
Went to Mespers for Bridge when I got back. Very thank ful to have got this matter finished - for the time
being. I Hope now we shall have a respite from oil. HH had all his camels at the door & was more
interested in them than in oil matters.