Evening star., 1914-04-26
Control of
Oil. Fields.

battleships an adequate
VA. flelos. supply Of oil for power
purposes has disclosed the fact that
tremendous International contest is on
to control the oil resources of the world
Although the United States has, per-
haps, the richest known oil fields OF the
world. and is supplying more than two
thirds Of all the petroleum produced, its
supremacy in this industry is said to be
seriously threatened by the invasion OF
foreigners into the field and their pur-
chase of the American oil lands. Euro
pean syndicates have already made a bis
grab in Oklahoma and California, and
while Americans are wondering how
much highep oil Is to go in price. having
increased almost SO per cent in the last
ping their oil abroad and thus depicting
the none too abundant supply. DR.
David T. Day, in charge Of the oil in
vestigations of the United States geologi-
cal survey, looks upon the present situa'
ton as one of most serious moment.
Petroleum has had its share in de-
veloping American prestige said DR.
Day in discussing the problem. 1T has
done more than precious metals or pre-
cious stones The petroleum and natural
gas produced last year outvalued our
gold. silver. lead, zinc and all other
per- I offer this comparison merely to
stimulate the natural inquiry as to how
we are administering this trust of ma
tiona1 natural advantage. Are we main
tanning it to the best purpose? We
are not. In no line of national conduct
is the progress SO recklessly devoid OF
any thought7out policy,
Besides a system of production which
considers neither supply nor demand a,
home, We squander our heritage over the
Il
may well be claimed as good public
policy that our oil should spread out to
less favored lands as the handmade OF
education where it will do the creates,
good, and to this we must subscribe
But what policy broader than dollar
greed can defend the sale of our greatest
single weapon for national independence
dependence, our oil lands themselves, tc
foreign capitalists. il not to foreign ma
tions? The facts are open to every one
but recognized by few, that 5000 bar.
res day, over IL per cent Of the oil in
Oklahoma. are produced by foreign COM
panies. and the foreign ownership in
California is increasing even faster. The
chief Significance of this Is that practi-
cally every foreign power is adopting oi
in place Of coal for its battieships, and
supply Of oil is requisite for this pur-
pose
To show just what one of the foreign
companies is doing. DR.. Day quoted from
an address by Sir Marcus Samuel al
the annual meeting of the Shell Trans
port and Trading Company. Limited. The
Shell Transport and Trading Company
is an important part of the immense
petroleum combinations Of Europe
known as the Royal Dutch Shell group
dominated by the Deutsche Bank and
the Rothschiids. Sir Marcus samue
said: "It is mainly in pursuance Of this
policy that we have purchased the Cali
fornia oil fields 1t is in connection with
that purchase that we are providing the
large sums that we have asked you te
subscribe. From time to time properties
have been purchased to strengthen the
reserve of territory. The oil produced il
among the very best obtainable in Cali
fornia We are satisfied that it is going
to prove an excellent investment at the
price we have paid for it, which was