346B.115 Standard Oil Co./19

Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by Mr. J. Rives Childs of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs

I telephoned Mr. Moffett and asked him whether he had any further information with regard to the bombing of the property of the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company in Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Moffett said that he had just received a further telegram which stated that some 28 bomb craters had been caused and that one plane had been sighted but it was thought that the attack was made by at least two or three planes. Mr. Moffett stated that if we desired he would send us the text of the telegram, and I stated that we would appreciate receiving it.

I stated that we would appreciate receiving any additional information that might be received on the bombing and Mr. Moffett said that he would be glad to send us any additional telegrams as he had requested telegraphically further details both of the bombing of the Company’s property in Saudi Arabia as well as at Bahrein.

I informed Mr. Moffett that a protest had been made this morning to the Italian Ambassador with regard to the bombing of property of the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company but that the Department desired that no publicity be given this for the time being. Mr. Moffett assured me that he would carefully respect the information which was given him in confidence.