The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-05-31
Barometer of Public Opinion
Tho Quest for on.

II may be that what Sir Auckland Gcddes,
tho British ambassador, has to say about the
allegation that his government designed 20 sc-
quirc an oil monopoly was prompted by IN
structions Ia counteroCt or tone down the re-
cent pcrfervd talk OF walter Hume Long In
London, says the New York Times. Great
Britain Mr.. Long eaid, would be cupablc at
this moment Of great national Importance II
avniIablc oil lnnds were not ACQUIRED throughout
the world I'VE are on the threshold OF tremen-
dous opportunities. ne declared, and the nation
must take care 10 occupy the house. or others
viii take II and with 1t the key to all future sue
ccsa II we secure the supplies OF oil now
available In the world, we can do what we IKE
Lord Fisher has insisted that "oil iH one OF the
things that won us tho war" It was his opinion
that "oil TX the very soul of future sea fighting"
During the war, in January, 1915, walter Bunci-
man, president Of the British board OF trade.
proclaimed that the future policy Of the nation
would be to control oil as well as coal
or late British pioneers have obtained con
'ossions of oil bearing lands In various parts OF
tive In South America For nearly 20 years w.
II. darcy, an Australian, has been working con
ccssious in 100000 square miles OF territory in
PERSIA. and today the capitalization OF the Anglo
Persian on company s f2O,00O,OOO, the British
voting stock: Palestine and Mesopotama, from
which the Turks were driven during the world
war by British and Indian troops were to be Eek
plotted for oil by an insatiablc government.
Bui II is one thing to plan control OF available oil
lands throughout tho world and another to
match the petroleum resources OF tho United
states and Mexico Great Britain is no doubt
trying to do 80, but the opportunity Ia not de-
MED. or should not be withheld from American
promoters and prospcCtors. n is largely uues-
uon OF the employment of capital and OF enter
prise. The Americans are afcld, belated per
haps, but not out OF the competition. Il Ls right
that the government should see that their inter
csts are protected and that when other countries
discriminate against aliens In the matter of con
cessions there should be counter leg egislation like
me act to promote the mining OF coal, phos-
phate. oil, shale, gae and sodium on the public
CONAN ny the present congress.
In his talk to the Pilgrims the British nmbas-
sador gave some figures OF oil production. The
United states, he said, produced from It's own
worlds 4
trolled about three -fourths Of Mexico's i6 per
cent OF world production. The showing OF the
British empire was by comparison insignificant
but u per cent I'm time OF emergency Brit
sh interests control" said the ambassa dor
about per cent OF tho world output" At tho
Same time, the fact that much British capital
Is Invested in oil fields In the United States must
not 10 overlooked. The American supply at the
present rate of consumption may not last more
man twenty years. II would he good news to
hear that oil lands in new territory, Asintio or
south American, we're prolific.
There should he no uneasness among comnc-
utors OF the British IL wells spouted copously In
Mesopotamia and Palestine under mandatory
government, which the covenant Of the league OF
nations requires to be conducted for the benefit
OF the native peoples, with regular reports to the
council 1t is difficult to SEQ how Great Britain
could exploit the near east without being
found out At present Sir Auckland Geddes
points out wells are not being drilled in pales-
tine and Mesopotamia because the now govern
ments have not been organized