POLITICAL TENDENCIES OF THE _ROYAL DUTCH_
The British Oil Empire
Until 1914, the British Government seemed to resist the formidable
extension of the _Royal Dutch_ throughout the world. Under the pretext
of ensuring reserves for itself, it got possession of outlets which
this company had not yet touched, taking control of the _Anglo-Persian_
and in 1918 founding the _British Controlled Oil-fields_. The reason
was that they were not yet allied. But since the War an event of
considerable importance has taken place: Deterding has thrown in the
fortunes of his trust with those of the greatest empire in the world,
the British Empire, whose policy at present dominates the world.
At the beginning of its history, the _Royal Dutch_ was a Dutch company.
If the _Royal Dutch_ became British by its union with the _Shell_, it
was German through its Rumanian share in the _Deutsche Petroleum_,
which united the petroleum interests of the _Deutsche Bank_, _Steaua_,
_European Petroleum_, and the _Deutsche Mineratal Industrie_. The first
important capital of this powerful consortium was furnished by German
banks: the _Deutsche Bank_, the _Disconto Gesellschaft_, and the firm
of _Bleichröder_ are, as it were, the fundamental tripod supporting
the edifice. It has been justly said that if Germany had not the most
important place in the _Royal Dutch_, it is because Mr. Deterding was
more concerned with British interests. He uses the power of nations
as he uses money. Great Britain being mistress of the seas, he has
given to British capital the most important part in his undertakings.
But the Rothschild family is international. There are branches in
London, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna. Mr. Deterding had safe places to
anchor while waiting for the wind. During the retreat of the Rumanian
army, the wells controlled by the _Royal Dutch_ were partly destroyed.
Whether this destruction was the work of Rumanian or of German soldiers
is not important. The _Deutsche Bank_ was associated with Mr. Deterding
in Rumania. Whatever was the result of the War, the _Royal Dutch-Shell_
had to be compensated....
It would have been just the same as far as Bagdad. If Germany had
gained Asia Minor, the property of the _Royal Dutch_ would still have
been saved by the _Deutsche Bank_. As the Allies have the upper hand,
Mr. Deterding has nothing to fear. He is in close touch with France
and Britain. He is in opposition only to America. And this coalition
of the oil powers is a very curious one, in which enemy nations agree
at certain times and disagree at others, all of them being led by a
superior power to unsuspected ends, just as they were in the world race
for armaments. An important fact which may puzzle the simple-minded, is
that, during the War, Mr. Deterding made his flag respected.
His cleverness was such that, _whichever side was victorious_, he was
bound to come out unscathed from the conflict.
Since Great Britain has conquered Germany, he has thrown in his
fortunes with hers.
It was a master-stroke for British policy. Allied to this powerful
trust, Great Britain now possesses an oil empire extending throughout
the world:--
Europe
Russia _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Rumania _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Hungary _Anglo-Persian_
Jugo-Slavia _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Albania _Anglo-Persian_
America
Newfoundland _Anglo-Persian_
New Brunswick _Anglo-Persian_
California _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Oklahoma _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Texas, Louisiana _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Mexico _Royal Dutch-Shell_ (_Mexican Eagle_)
Central America _British Controlled Oil-fields_
Trinidad _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Venezuela _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Guiana _British Controlled Oil-fields_
Brazil _British Controlled Oil-fields_
Colombia _British Controlled Oil-fields_
Ecuador _British Controlled Oil-fields_
Argentine _Anglo-Persian_
Asia
Caucasus _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Persia _Anglo-Persian_
Mesopotamia _Turkish Petroleum_
India _Burmah Oil_
Dutch Indies _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Straits Settlements _Royal Dutch-Shell_
China _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Oceania
Australia _Anglo-Persian_
New Zealand _Anglo-Persian_
Papua _Anglo-Persian_
Africa
Egypt _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Madagascar _Royal Dutch-Shell_
South Africa _Royal Dutch-Shell_
Morocco _Anglo-Persian_