890F.61A/2: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
115. Your 190, February 3, 10 a.m. Department of Interior irrigation expert has been selected and choice of Department of Agriculture expert lies between two officials. It is planned to send Twitchell8a [Page 562] as head of this mission, which has received the President’s informal approval. It is hoped that the President will send a letter to Ibn Saud and that you will find it possible to present in person this message, which would offer the Mission as an evidence of good will. For your strictly confidential information, the Army Air Corps is considering the desirability of establishing one or more airfields in Saudi Arabia on the basis of a suitable quid pro quo but has not yet made a decision of principle. You may, therefore, be requested to take this matter up at the time of your visit.
As soon as these matters take definite form, which should occur in the near future, you will be promptly advised.
- Karl S. Twitchell, American mining and hydraulic engineer, long associated with roadbuilding, well-drilling, and development of mining interests in Saudi Arabia as a representative of American and British capital, and for some time the informal agent of King Ibn Saud in the United States in respect of projects for economic development.↩