Abstract: Confidential memorandum containing a list of chapters and translated extracts from the book
Der Kampf um Arabien zwischen der Türkei und England[The Fight for Arabia between Turkey and England] by Dr Franz Stuhlmann of the Hamburgischen Kolonialinstitut [Hamburg Colonial Institute], and published by George Westermann in Hamburg, 1916. The extracts, which begin on the verso of folio 1, are preceded by a note, written by Arthur Hirtzel, Secretary to the Political Department of the India Office, and dated 31 October 1916, which draws attention to the academic credentials of Stuhlmann’s book.The extracts from Stuhlmann’s book cover topics including: the province of Hejaz and the Hejaz railway; the Trans-Arabian railway; the University of Medina; Turkish reforms; Yemen and Asīr, including the railway from Hodeida [Al-Ḥudaydah] to Sanaa [Ṣanʻā']; English interests in southern Arabia; Muscat and Oman; Bahrein [Bahrain] and the Turkish province of El-Hasa [Al-Hasa]; the Wahabis [Wahhābīs] and their successors in Nejd [Najd]; Koweit [Kuwait]; oil deposits in Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]; navigation of the Tigris and Euphrates; Mesopotamia during the War; and extracts from Stuhlmann’s conclusion, which comments on the strategic importance to England of the Persian Gulf, and the importance to Turkey and Germany of the Shatt al-Arab.An appendix to the memorandum, entitled ‘The importance to Germany of an open Persian Gulf’ is a review of an article that appeared in the journal
Europäische Staats und Wirtschafts Zeitung, 18 August 1916, entitled ‘Der persische Golf und die Verkehrspolitik der Mittelmächte’ [The Persian Gulf and the Commercial Policy of the Central Powers], written by Professor Gerhard Schott of the Deutsche Seewarte [German Hydrographic Office].Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The booklet contains an original typed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This memorandum is a note by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Political Department of the India Office, dated 21 Oct 1918, concerning the British administration of Mesopotamia, the status of the vilayets of Basra and Baghdad, and the establishment of a commission from London to research administrative problems and future arrangements.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 95 and terminates at folio 96, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folio 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file consists of a report, written by Sir Arthur Hirtzel, Political Secretary, India Office, which provides the British perspective on recent events in Persia, from mid-1916 to early 1917. The report is divided into sections using headings, which cover the following locations: Tehran, Ispahan, Fars, Bushire, Kerman, Seistan and Khorassan.The report discusses the threat posed to Britain's position in Persia, mainly by Turkish troops, but also by tribal groups which are reportedly under the influence of German agitators.The report states that the Persian Government has acquiesced in the formation of a force [South Persia Rifles] commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, which will be incorporated into the Persian army and will amount to 11,000 men.The report concludes that the situation across Persia is 'in the highest degree unstable', with Turkish forces occupying 30,000 square miles of Persian territory.The report is followed by a cutting from the
Daily Telegraph, dated 21 February 1917, which reports on a House of Lords session from the previous day, in which Earl Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon] is reported to have spoken about Sir Percy Sykes's mission, and to have described the improvement in the general situation in Persia as considerable.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 68, and terminates at f 74, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This printed report consists of two notes prepared by Richard Marrs and John Evelyn Shuckburgh of the Political Department of the India Office on 19 October 1920 and 29 October 1920 respectively. These notes concern British policy, including the payment of subsidies and grants-in-aid, towards political leaders in the Arabian Peninsula, including Ibn Sa'ud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], Ibn Rashid [‘Abdullāh bin Mut‘ib Āl Rashīd], and the Sharif of Mecca, Hussain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī], and his son Faisal [Fayṣal bin Ḥusayn al-Hāshimī], and the Idrisi amir of Asir.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 149 and terminates at folio 150, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-147 of the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This is a note by John Evelyn Shuckburgh of the Political Department, India Office, dated 7 January 1919, concerning relations between Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] of Nejd [Najd] and King Hussain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] of the Hejaz [al-Ḥijāz], specifically the dispute between them over the village of Khurma [al-Khurmah]. The note includes two appendices: 'Appendix I: Bin Saud's Claim to Khurmah (Extract from Memorandum by Mr [Harry St John Bridger] Philby, dated 13th August 1918)' and 'Appendix II: The Alleged Treaty Between Bin Saud and the Sherif'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for sequence for this file commences at folio 11, and terminates at folio 13, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Memorandum, written by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, dated 25 May 1916, examining the implications of war with Turkey on Great Britain particularly the importance to Germany of a Turco-Ottoman alliance and the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and the corresponding importance of its dissolution to Great Britain.The memorandum discusses Germany's need for raw materials and its realisation that supplies from Asiatic Turkey may take years to establish; the German threat to the Suez Canal and the Dardanelles; the threat to India from Mesopotamia; the dangers of Pan-islamism; the potential risks of waging war on a Moslem [Muslim] power, particularly given British relations in the Persian Gulf; and the possible outcomes of the war with Germany and the likely position of Turkey in relation to them.Enclosed with the memorandum are two appendices:Appendix I: Extract from an article by Dr Hans Delbrück in the
Schwäbische Merkur17 May 1916, summarising the German ideal of 'weltpolitik' (world policy);Appendix II: Extract memorandum by Sir Mark Sykes on "The problem of the Near East", dated 20 June 1916.Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel is not named on the memorandum as its author, however IOR/L/PS/18/B234 refers to him as its author.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 51 and terminates at folio 54, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This memorandum concerns British relations with Turkey in the Persian Gulf and was written by Frederic Arthur Hirtzel in December 1910. The immediate question it addresses is 'the desirability of concluding a treaty with a Sheikh or Sheikhs of the El Katr [Qatar] peninsula as a bulwark against Turkish aggression' and comments on a telegram by Percy Zachariah Cox. It is divided into three parts; the first part assesses the general Anglo-Turkish situation in the Gulf and examines anti-British and pro-German developments as Constantinople.The second part concurs that the publication of the secret agreement with Shaikh Mubarak bin Sabah of Koweit [Kuwait] is necessary to clarify matters and lists settlements claimed by the Shaikh of Koweit. The third part argues that having achieved that they should make treaties on the lines of Trucial Coast agreements with 'Bin Thani' [Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī]. The memorandum discusses how such an agreement would be justifiable because by excluding foreign powers it would maintain the status quo.The memorandum concludes that it was desirable to conclude treaties with the Qatar tribes and that this would require giving them a guarantee against Turkish aggression.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio, and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: An original printed pagination sequence is also present in the booklet.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, marked 'Secret', is a note by John Evelyn Suckburgh, Political Department of the India Office, dated 22 September 1918, concerning British relations with ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud). In light of a large number of telegrams on this subject, Shuckburgh wishes to clarify the matter with a statement. The note deals with Ibn Saud's relations with King Husain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī], King of the Hijaz, and Ibn Rashīd, British representation with Ibn Saud, and the question of the supply of arms and munitions to Ibn Sa‘ūd, as well as some general observations. There is also an appendix (folio 91v) that includes details of communications made to Ibn Saud and his reply.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 90. and terminates at folio 91, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This printed report, compiled by John Evelyn Shuckburgh of the Political Department, India Office, for the Eastern Committee, concerns the civil administration of Mesopotamia between 15 November 1917 and 15 January 1918. It consists of summaries of the first five periodical administrative reports (periods ending 15 November 1917, 1 December 1917, 15 December 1917, 31 December 1917, and 15 January 1918) submitted by Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia. It consists of a 'Note by the Political Department, India Office'. The five summary administrative reports contain details regarding tribal affairs, irrigation and agriculture, land revenues, supplies, education, and waqfs (religious foundations), affairs on the Euphrates, customs, sanitation, cotton, affairs of the Persian frontier, and affairs of Nejef (al-Najaf). The administrative report summaries are supplemented by brief references to other reports that have reached the India Office, including details of the attitude of notables in Basra district, the labour questions, and administration of justice in the Baghdad vilayet, and restriction of alienation of land. There is also a section concerning personnel serving under Cox on 1 February 1918.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The booklet also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This memorandum was written by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel in January 1917. Its purpose is to explain 'why the exclusion of Italy from Western and Southern Arabia and the Red Sea littoral is important in British interests'. It notes the importance of Arabia lying as it does along two of the main approaches to India from Europe. Hirtzel's memorandum also notes the absence of an effective state in Arabia, and the concomitant influence of tribes and their chiefs.It reviews the strategic importance of Aden and its protectorate along with the significance of the Aden-Yemen frontier in the context of British relations with the Imam of Sanaa and Turkey (paragraphs 4-5). It notes that the Italian ambitions are mainly focused on the Yemen and that the Italo-Turkish war made Italy the most unpopular 'Christian power' in the Muslim world. It analyses the implications of any British consent to an Italian occupation of the Yemen.It concludes that the 'present war has shown the use that may be made against us of Islam' and contends that the success of H M Government in the Middle East 'depends to a large extent on the transfer of the Caliphate from Turkey to Arabia. This in turn depends on the possibility of making the ruler of the Hejaz sufficiently strong to be able to pose as an independent sovereign. This again depends upon keeping the Christian powers at a sufficient distance.' The memorandum finishes by noting that it was for these reasons Britain took the precaution of inserting in the Anglo-French convention [Sykes-Picot agreement] that the British and French Governments agree that they will not themselves acquire and will not consent to a third Power acquiring territorial possessions in the Arabian peninsula with a sphere of influence being seen as equivalent to territorial possession.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: The booklet also has an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Richmond Thackeray Willoughby Ritchie,
British Interests on the Coast of Arabia, Koweit, Bahrein, and El Katr(Government of India, 1905).This document consists of an analysis of British interests on the coast of Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. It was written by Richmond Thackeray Willoughby Ritchie and published in 1905. It is composed of four sections dealing with the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.Arabian coast. This cites a letter, 5th January 1903, from the Government of India to the Naval Commander-in-Chief, noting it gives a concise overview of 'the political geography of the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf': the claims to rule by the Ottomans, Trucial Chiefs and the Sultan of Muscat. It then reviews key treaties with the Sheikhs of Kuwait (23rd January, 1899) , Bahrain, Trucial Chiefs, the 1891 treaty with Muscat, and the agreements with Shaikhs down the coast to Aden.Kuwait. This section discusses two issues with the Turks at Kuwait. Firstly, the status of the British Political Agent, Major Stuart George Knox and his instructions concerning the conflicts and dynamics between Ibn Saud, Ibn Rashid and the Turks. The second issue concerns rights over Bubian Island.Bahrain. This section discusses British non-recognition of Turkish authority in Bahrain and measures to assert British authority there, referring to reports by Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor.Qatar. This section discusses Turkish influence in Qatar and the reasons why the conclusions of a treaty with the the ruling Al Thani shaikh by the Government of India would be desirable.Physical description: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio, on number 1, and ends on the last folio, on number 2.
Abstract: This file consists of a report which discusses ways in which Britain might protect its interests in Persia. The report, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary to the Political Department, India Office, begins by stressing the importance of Britain taking an active interest in affairs in Persia, since events there may have an impact on Britain's position in India.Shuckburgh opines that Persia, as a body politic, is in the last stages of decay and decomposition, and he describes how the country has been used as a base for anti-British agitation in Afghanistan and elsewhere.Whilst noting that the British occupation of Baghdad in March 1917 appeared to redress the balance of power in the East in Britain's favour, Shuckburgh argues that the Russian revolution has upset all calculations; he remarks that Russia has ceased to be an effective ally against German and Turkish threats to Britain's presence in Persia and may in fact become a potential enemy.Shuckburgh suggests that Britain requests that the Persian Government takes steps to protect the North-West frontier of Persia (with an offer of British military assistance), whilst making it clear that if prompt and effective action does not appear to be forthcoming then Britain will take certain measures in accordance with its own interests in the East.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 120, and terminates at f 121, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.