5 OCTOBER 1918, Page 12

LORD KITCHENER AND THE EGYPTIAN OILFIELDS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] propos of your interesting article on the search for new oilfields, it must be of interest to recall that to Lord Kitchener is

directly due the successful establishment of Egypt's remarkable industry—the production and refining of petroleum from Egyptian oil wells. About eighteen years ago experimental borings were made and much money spent, with small result. Some fresh ventures, started in 1911, were near collapse in 1913, when Lord Kitchener made himself acquainted with the situation in all its ;details, and by his decision to grant large concessions and to place the development of oil in Egypt in competent hands, brought success to the scheme. The oilfields are now established on a conimercial scale, to the immense benefit of Egypt and of the Empire. I might add that another promising oilfield in the British Empire is being developed in Sarawak.—I am, Sir, &c.,

3 Hamilton Place. Piccadilly, W. 1. MARCUS SAMUEL.