Abstract: The memorandum consists of printed papers on the subject of whether persons of Persian origin born in India are entitled to protection as British subjects. The question arose from the fact that Persia did not recognise British nationality in persons of Persian descent. In particular, it references the case of Agha Mehdee; a person of Persian descent who has enjoyed British subject status for a number of years. His status as a British subject is accepted by the Government of Persia, but they do not consider this to be a precedent to be conferred on others. The attitudes of France and Russia towards their subjects are considered in order to inform the British position on the matter. The papers included are outlined below.A letter (No. 1, folios 96-100) from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to Edward Henry Stanley, Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated Tehran 15 February 1876, with the following enclosures:1. Translation of a memorandum from Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated 19 January 1876 respecting the position of Agha Mehdee;2. Memorandum No. 920 of 1868 respecting Nazir Mohammed Mehedee, signed W Whinvail, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, dated Bombay Castle 16 May 1868;3. Memorandum No. 2740 of 1870 respecting Nazir Aga Ahmed bin Aga Ali, signed Herbert Henry Jacomb, Under Secretary to the Government of Bombay, dated Bombay Castle 11 November 1870;4. Letter from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 27 January 1872;5. Government Resolution No. 1905 regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay Castle, 27 March 1872;6. Opinion of J W [James Sewell] White, Advocate-General, Bombay, regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory. It is dated Bombay Castle 5 March 1872;7. Telegram from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 27 May 1872;8. Telegram from E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, to Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated Bombay 7 June 1872;9. Telegram from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 7 June 1872;10. Letter from Colonel Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to E [Charles] Gonne, Secretary to the Political Department, Government of Bombay, dated Bushire 26 June 1872;11. Government Resolution No. 5446 regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay Castle 14 December 1872;12. Opinion of C J Mayhew, Acting Advocate-General, Bombay (No. 34), regarding the position of persons of Persian parentage born in British territory, dated Bombay 2 September 1872;13. Letter from Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Secretary to the Government of India, to Colonel Ross, dated Fort William 5 September 1874;14. Letter from G C Paul, Assistant Advocate-General, Bengal, to Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Secretary to the Government of India, dated Fort William 21 August 1874;15. Telegram from the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Governor of Bushire, dated 22 Zuhejjeh 1292 (20 January 1876);16. Letter from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, dated Tehran 25 January 1876 (enclosure in French);17. Letter from B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, to William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, dated 31 January 1876 (enclosure in French);18. Memorandum of a conversation between Mr Larcom and B Schimanovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, respecting the laws regulating Nationality in Russia, dated Tehran 10 February 1876;19. Letter from William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, to R de Balloy, French Chargé d'Affaires, dated Tehran 10 February 1876 (enclosure in French);20. Letter from R de Balloy, French Chargé d'Affaires, to William Taylor Thomson, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, dated Tehran 11 February 1876 (enclosure in French);21. Extract from "Les Codes Français" (enclosure in French);22. Extract from a law modified 7 February 1851 concerning persons born in France to foreign parents (enclosure in French).A memorandum (No. 2, folios 100-101) as to the protection to be granted to persons of Persian origin born in India, signed by A Walmisley, dated Foreign Office 20 April 1876. It considers a couple of cases; the case of 'Bagio', a Jew born to Ottoman parents; and 'Schlizzi', a man born in Ottoman territory, but who had resided for a time in England.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 96, and terminates at f 101, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum, prepared by John W Field of the Foreign Office and dated 29 March 1922, is an historical overview of relations between the British Government and the Shaikh of Kuwait during the period 1897 to 1921. The first paragraph of the memorandum suggests that it was compiled in response to a ‘question that has arisen as to the position of foreigners in Koweit [Kuwait]’.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 file consists of a Foreign Office memorandum (author unknown), followed by an annex written by Charles Murray Marling, British Minister at Tehran.The file concerns the revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. The convention divided Persia into three areas: a Russian sphere in the north, a British sphere in the south-east, and a remaining neutral zone.The memorandum refers to a recent invitation by the Russian government for Britain to enter into possession of practically the whole of the neutral zone. It discusses the possibility of negotiating for a considerable area of the current Russian sphere to be included in the new British territory. The memorandum suggests that Britain's efforts should be concentrated on the towns of Ispahan and Yezd (both of which lie in the Russian sphere) or in the last resort, on Yezd alone. The memorandum goes on to suggest that, as a counterpoise to Russia's cession, Britain might wish to surrender to Russia the oil-bearing districts in Kermanshah, which are located in the Russian sphere, but which currently belong, 'in a more or less undeveloped state', to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.Also discussed is the possibility of Britain agreeing with Russia to limit the activities of the Imperial Bank (Persia's state bank), which currently has nine branches in the Russian zone, to the neutral zone of Persia. The memorandum suggests that such a course of action would hardly be possible unless Britain would be prepared to pay an indemnity to the Imperial Bank for the loss of its branches. However, it is argued that this action would give Britain a valuable lever in its efforts to have Ispahan included in the new British territory.In the annex which follows on from the memorandum, Charles Murray Marling recounts a brief meeting with Sazonof [Sergei Dmitrievich Sazonov], the Russian Foreign Minister, in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg], who reportedly stated that Russia wishes to retain both the district and town of Ispahan, in order to protect Russian trade in the Russian sphere from British merchants.Marling suggests that it would be both in Britain's and in Russia's interests for Ispahan to be included in the new British sphere, on the grounds that to do otherwise would result in a partition of the Bakhtiari tribe's territory. Such a partition, Marling argues, would divide the tribe into 'British' and 'Russian' parties, and would result in both parties possessing a common grievanace against Britain.Marling questions the extent to which the inclusion of Ispahan within the Russian sphere would benefit Russian trade. He speculates on the real reason for Russia wishing to retain the territory, before emphasising the importance of Ispahan, both to Britain's interests in the oilfields of Bakhtiaristan, and to its future position in Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 15, and terminates at f 17, 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 file consists of a Foreign Office circular noting that as a result of the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty [Treaty of London] of 22 March 1946, which recognised Transjordan as a fully independent state with Amir [Emir] Abdulla [‘Abdullāh] bin Hussein as sovereign, responsibility for British policy has been transferred from the Colonial Office to the Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This secret and confidential memorandum, printed by the Foreign Office Press in June 1890, concerns the issue of the proposed transfer of Aden, the Somali Coast and everything connected with the Red Sea from the Government of India, and leaving British representation in Persia entirely in the hands of the Government of India. These issues are examined vis-à-vis Italian, French, German and Persian interests. The memorandum is divided into the following sections: 'Aden' (folios 5-6v), 'Somali Coast' (folios 6v-8v), 'Read Sea' (folio 8v), 'Summary' (folios 9-10) and 'Transfer of the Persian Legation to India' (folio 11).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 5, and terminates at folio 11, 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 5-156; 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 volume contains information on the geography, political history and economic conditions of Arabia and was published by the Historical Section of the Foreign Office in April 1919.It is divided into four sections: 'Geography Physical and Political'; 'Political History'; 'Political Conditions' and 'Economic Conditions'. There is an Appendix, containing tables regarding trade in Aden, Muscat and Bahrein, 1909-1917.There is a map 'Sketch Map of the Persian Gulf and Arabia', compiled by the War Office on June 1914.Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 1, and ends on the map on a sleeve on the inside back cover, on number 70.Pagination: There is also an original pagination, iv-vi, 2-127.
Abstract: This file consists of a Foreign Office memorandum concerning the policy of His Majesty's Government towards Persia at the forthcoming peace conference [the Paris Peace Conference of 1919-20]. In its introduction the memorandum states that His Majesty's Government must be prepared for the eventuality of the question of Persia arising, either directly or indirectly, at the conference. The memorandum makes suggestions for British policy on this matter. The suggestions are divided into three sections – political, general, and economic – and are related to specific issues.The first section addresses the following political concerns: the independence and integrity of Persia (the memorandum advises that Britain should seek a mandate to provide financial, administrative, and military assistance to Persia), frontiers (the preservation of the status quo is desired), and the Anglo-Russian agreement of 1907 (the memorandum proposes a declaration of annulment by the British Government).The general concerns are as follows: the position of the Sheikh [Shaikh] of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Khūzistān, Iran] (which the Foreign Office wishes to remain the same), flags on the Caspian sea (the memorandum proposes the neutralisation of sea and freedom for use of commercial flags), and the islands in the Persian Gulf (the Foreign Office seeks a renunciation of the Persian Government's claim to Bahrein [Bahrain]).The third section of the memorandum discusses economic issues. The memorandum suggests that the British Government should endeavour to exclude from the conference questions relating to the Persian customs tariff, railways, finance, telegraphs, British concessions in Persia, and reparation for damage done by belligerents in Persian territory.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 173, and terminates at f 184, 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 volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum concerns the border between Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] and Turkey, and was prepared by Alwyn Parker of the Foreign Office. There are a number of labels at the top of the first page: ‘Persia’, ‘Confidential’ and ‘Section 10’. The memorandum sections are as follows:Part I. A preface (folios 1-5), introducing the points at issue, with two maps, the first being a sketch map of the Mohammerah district, with the proposed Turkish, Persian and mediating commissioner’s lines indicated (folio 2), and a map compiled from plane table surveys by Lieutenant Arnold Talbot Wilson in 1909, with the frontier as defined by the mediating commissioners in 1850 (folio 4);Part II. An historical summary (folios 6-19) of British Government correspondence relating to the border dispute, with the chief focus being on correspondence exchanged during the period 1843-52, around the time of the Treaty of Erzeroum (c.1848). This part contains two copies of a map, a facsimile of a diagram of the disputed area, the original of which was enclosed by Colonel Williams in his despatch of 4 February 1850, indicating Turkish and Persian claims and the mediating commissioner’s proposal (folios 15, 19);Part III. Conclusion (folios 20-28), with a further map (folio 23), an exact copy of that found on folio 4.The appendices that follow are:A: British assurances given to the Shaikh of Mohammerah, 1899 and 1902-10;B. Protocol of December 1911 (in French) for the proposal settlement of the Turco-Persian frontier question;C. An extract from Sir Austen Henry Layard’s
Early Adventures in Persia, Susiana, and Babylonia, published in 1887. The extract is from volume 2, pp 431-439;D. Rough notes made by General William Monteith when in Persia, on the frontier of Turkey and Persia, as communicated to the Foreign Office in 1843;E. Observations by Sir Henry Rawlinson on a Persian memorandum relative to the situation of the cities of Mohammerah and Fellahiah [Fallāḥīyah], 1844;F. Text of the Treaty of Erzeroum, 31 May 1847, in English and French translation;G. Copy of a despatch from Sir Stratford Canning, the British Ambassador to Istanbul, to Lord Palmerston, Foreign Secretary, dated 30 May 1850;H. Copy of a despatch from Lord Palmerston to Lord Broomfield, dated 12 July 1850.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: The file consists of a memorandum concerning financial assistance to Persia from Russia and the British Government from January 1900 to 5 February 1903, written by the Foreign Office.It covers:a loan to the Persian Government from the Russian Bank at Tehran, and the financial dependence of Persia on Russia;an advance on the security of the customs of South Persia from the Imperial Bank of Persia (a British institution);an advance by the Government of India to the Imperial Bank, which the Bank would then lend to Persia.Two broken seals are attached to the first folio.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 144, and terminates at f 149, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file consists of a memorandum giving an account of the Aden frontier delimitation, and treaty relations with the Aden tribes from 1873. Compiled by the Foreign Office, 11 December 1905.It discusses the following: tribes with whom Her Majesty's Government has direct relations; boundary disputes and Turkish encroachments; protectorate treaties and agreements; the British Demarcation Commission survey; and the military and naval support.The French content of the file is limited to a memorandum extract by Nicholas O'Conor, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, 11 August 1904.A despatch concerning maps of the frontier delimitation from Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary to His Majesty's Ambassador, dated 8 March 1906, is included as a supplement.Also included is one map: IOR/W/LPS/18/B156 (i),
Map showing tribes and new boundary of the Aden Protectorate.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 170, and terminates at f 176, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 175-181; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are circled.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum examines the increases in expenditure — borne by both the Imperial and Indian Governments — on British consulates in Persia.Physical description: Condition: the folios have suffered physical damage which has obscured some of the text.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 53, and terminates at f 54, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum is a summary of news and events in Persia of interest to the British Government. The subject matter largely concerns itself with reports indicating that the current Shah, Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, is very unpopular, and discussion on whether Britain and Russia should work together over the succession — in the event of his death — in order to maintain the independence of Persia as per their understanding of 1834. It therefore also includes brief mentions of riots in Astrabad [Gorgān], Bakhari [Chahār Maḩāl va Bakhtīārī], Hamadan, and the occupation of a telegraph office at Shiraz.There is also brief coverage of the state of Persian relations with Afghanistan, Turkey, and Russia, including a mention of a recent a recent boundary treaty signed with the latter in 27 May 1881.The memorandum was written by Francis Leverson Bertie, Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 106, and terminates at f 111, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.