Abstract: The correspondence discusses the situation regarding British assurances to the Sheikh of Mohammerah. The volume includes a description of the Sheikh's perception that, despite his good behaviour towards the British he has not been afforded the support provided to other Arab sheikhs in the Gulf as in Kuwait or Bahrain. Letters include an account of the explanation given to the Sheikh of Mohammerah that Britain recognized Bahrain and Kuwait as independent, in
de jureas well as
de factoterms; in contrast the British recognized the Shah's sovereignty over Mohammerah.The correspondence discusses the practicalities of a customs arrangement between the Shah and the Sheikh of Mohammerah mediated by the British. Letters consider the circumstances under which Britain could intervene militarily to protect its interests in the Karun Valley in the event of disorder arising following interference by the Shah.The correspondence discusses the scope and form of words of the assurance to be given to the Sheikh of Mohammerah and his male descendants, in the event of disorder following from a change in the Persian regime, be it of a royalist, nationalist, or constitutional nature as well as disputes with Bakhtiari khans.Correspondents include: Shaikh Khazal Khan, Sardar-i-Afra, the Shaikh of Mohammerah; The Confidential Agent of the Shaikh of Mohammerah; Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Her Majesty's Consul at Bushire; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Acting Consul of Mohammerah.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 203; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one leading flyleaf.
Abstract: Correspondence including telegrams, hand written letters and printed enclosures, discusses an attack by a Turkish gun-boat on a village - Zain, belonging to the Shaikh of Mohammerah - which lay on the Turkish bank of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The correspondence outlines the circumstances that led to the quarrel between the Turkish authorities and the Sheikh of Mohammerah, and suggestions that the Porte should be urged to replace the Wali of Basrah with a less aggressive official.Correspondence discusses the proposal to give the Shaikh of Mohammerah assurances against naval attack, whatever the pretext for such action; letters and telegrams also discuss the award of a decoration (Knight Commander of the Indian Empire) to the Shaikh of Mohammerah.A letter (dated 7 December 1913) from Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, outlines the Government of India's interests in Arabistan including: the oil fields and their future; irrigation; railway enterprises; telegraphs; Russian and German activity.Correspondents include Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Sir Gerard Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople; Charles Murray Marling, Ambassador to Tehran; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign affairs; Francis Edward Crow, H M Consul at Bussorah [Basra]; Arnold Talbot Wilson, H M Consul at Mohammerah; Shaikh Khazal bin Jabir, Shaikh of Mohammerah; Wali of Bussorah; Viceroy of India.Physical description: Foliation: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 278; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The folio sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the one ending flyleaf.An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel throughout; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed reports, a press cutting and a map, relating to the connection of the railway system of Europe to the railway system of India by the construction of railway lines through Persia.The discussion in the volume relates to the proposal of a Russian consortium and the response of the Government of India to this proposal. A Report (No. 18 of 1911' folios 144 - 160) notes that the Government of India would do well to accept in principle the Russian proposal subject to a number of modifications. A map entitled 'Indexed Map Showing Proposed Railways in Persia' (folio 160) accompanies the report. Suggested modifications included:the point of intersection of the trans-Persian railway with the Indian railway system (British preference for Karachi); and concessions for branch lines (Bandar Abbas, Charbar, Mohammerah);the requirement that both main and branch lines in Persian territory be deemed international with Russia and Britain holding preponderant shares and Persia included as a participant;and the use of a different gauge railway in the British and Russian zones. As a quid pro quo for their support on this matter Britain expected the Russians to cease any consideration of extending the Trans-Caspian Railway to the Persia-Afghan border.Also discussed are the negotiations about a loan between the
Société des Études du Chemin de Fer Transpersanand the Persian Government and a suggestion that the British and French governments should guarantee a substantial loan by securing it against the crown jewels.The following topics are also discussed: the Foreign Office proposal to refer the whole question of railway development in Persia to the Committee of Imperial Defence; a draft application for the concession; a memorandum by Brigadier General A H Gordon; dispatch of instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at St Petersberg on the attitude of the Her Majesty's Government; the view of the Sir G Buchanan on the attitude of the Russian Government to the question of alignment.The principal correspondents in the volume include: His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, the Earl of Crewe; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, E H S Clark; His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox; the President of the Railway Board; Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.This volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 163; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Correspondence, reports and maps concerning the Turco-Persian Frontier Commission of 1913.Part 1 concerns arrangements for an Anglo-Russian loan to the Persian Commission, to provide for the cost of erecting boundary pillars.Part 2 concerns negotiations over and arrangements for the Turco-Persian Frontier Commission, and the eventual production of the
Protocole relative à la Délimitation turco-persane, signé à Constantinople le 4 (17) Novembre, 1913.It also contains maps of the Turco-Persian frontier at Hawizeh [Howeyzeh], Shatt-Al-'Arab, Bahmanshir [Rūdkhāneh-ye Bahmanshīr], Muhammareh [Khorramshar] and Abbádán I [Ābādān].Each part includes a divider which gives the subject, part number, the year the file was opened, subject heading, and a list of correspondence references found within that part, listed by year. These are placed after the last piece of correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 316; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 3-313; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume concerns proposals for the construction of a British-owned railway between Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] and Khoremabad [Khorramabad] in Persia.The papers include: the response of the Shaikh of Mohammerah, the Government of Persia, and the Government of Russia to the proposals; an India Office 'Memorandum on Persian Railways' dated June 1911 (including a map entitled 'Persian Gulf and Adjacent Countries', dated June 1908, on folio 184, to illustrate the memorandum); a Government of India 'Report of the Committee on the Proposed Trans-Persian Railway', February 1911 (folios 126-128); 'Report to the Board of Trade by Mr. H. W. Maclean, Special Commissioner of the Commercial Intelligence Committee to Persia, on certain matters connected with Persian Trade' (folios 101-104), and letter giving the views of the Board of Trade on the proposed railway, 25 March 1912 (folios 96-99); correspondence from the Persian Railways Syndicate, which stated it was surprised at the 'lukewarm attitude' towards the project of the Government of India (folio 80); discussion of proposals to negotiate a lease of Khor Musa [Khowr-e Mūsá] from the Shaikh of Mohammerah (folios 26-54); and interest in Khor Musa from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (folios 38-39).There is also significant correspondence in the file from the Foreign Office and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox).The volume contains copies of earlier correspondence and agreements from 1903-1911.The French language content of the volume consists of approximately ten folios of diplomatic correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 194; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-51; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Correspondence exchanged chiefly amongst India Office officials concerning the appointment of staff at the British Consulate at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] in Mesopotamia [Iraq]. Papers dated 1915 concern the immediate appointment to the post of Consul at Mohammerah of Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Lloyd Kennion; Kennion’s transfer from the War Office to the Indian Political Department; and arrangements for Kennion’s free passage to Mohammerah. Subsequent correspondence concerns: the appointment of Assistant Surgeon C H Lincoln as Acting Consul at Mohammerah in 1916; the temporary appointment of Everard Huddleston Gastrell as Consul in 1922; the temporary replacement of Lincoln as Vice Consul by John Wilson Woodsell in 1926.Physical description: 1 item (70 folios)
Abstract: The file contains the subject 'Method of Counteracting Soviet Activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf'.The papers cover Russian propaganda in Persia, Soviet commercial activities in southern Persia and in the Persian Gulf, and Bolshevik activities in Abadan and Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].The principal correspondents are: the Secretary of State for India; the India Office; the Foreign Office; the British Vice-Consulate at Mohammerah; and the British Legation at Tehran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; 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: Correspondence, minutes, memoranda, and draft papers relating to quarantine services in the Persian Gulf. The correspondence is between officials at the India Office, Foreign Office, Government of India (Foreign and Political Department), and Ministry of Health. Further correspondence, included as enclosures, comes from officials at the British Legation in Tehran, Political Residency in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, HM Consulate at Bandar Abbas, HM Consulate-General at Fars, Government of India (Marine Department), the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, and the Government of Persia.Throughout the file are regular reports on the quarantine service in general. Matters covered by the papers include:Persian objections to British control of the service and the eventual handover in 1928Quarantine regulationsCases of outbreaks of diseaseFinancesMaintenance and replacement of equipmentStaffingThe proposal for establishing a station at HenjamRelations with international bodies such as the League of Nations.Physical description: 586 folios
Abstract: Papers concerning diplomatic tensions between the British and Ottoman Governments at the outset of the First World War, including social unrest and military/naval movements in Baghdad, Basra, and the Shatt al-Arab. The volume’s papers were produced prior to the Ottoman Ruler Sultan Mehmed V’s declaration of war on Britain, France and Russia on 11 November 1914. The papers cover:The activities of Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], former Governor (Wali) of Basra, in June 1914, including his attack on Basra and occupation of Zobeir [Zubayr].Reports of growing anti-British sentiment at Basra and Baghdad, and proposals to evacuate British women and children from the area in the event of war with Ottoman Turkey.Diplomatic exchanges between the British and Ottoman Governments, over the presence of British vessels (in particular HMS
Odin) in the Shatt al-Arab, and in international waters off the coast of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].Interruptions to British steamship services at Basra and Baghdad, particularly those of the Euphrates & Tigris Steam Navigation Company, as a result of Ottoman actions that include the requisitioning of coal at Basra.British officials’ concerns over the status of Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s operations at Abadan, including the reluctance of vessels to travel up to the head of the Persian Gulf to Abadan, and the British Government’s assurances that vessels travelling to Abadan and Mohammerah would be covered by War Insurance.British officials’ concerns over rumours that the Ottoman Navy plans to mine the Shatt al-Arab.The file’s principal correspondents include: the India Office (John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Edmund George Barrow; Arthur Hirtzel); the Foreign Office (Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe; Louis du Pan Mallet); the Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Stuart George Knox).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 330; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The front and back covers, along with the leading flyleaf and ending flyleaf, have not been foliated.
Abstract: Papers concerning events in Mesopotamia and in the Persian Gulf, leading up to and immediately after the outbreak of war between Great Britain and Turkey. The file is a chronological continuation of File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ (IOR/L/PS/10/462). Subjects covered include:Concerns amongst British officials that Turkey will lay mines in the Shatt al-Arab.Reports of the spreading of anti-British and pro-German propaganda by Turkish officials, including an undated manifesto (translated into English from Arabic) issued by an organisation called the Moslem Committee of Learned Men (ff 139-143).British intelligence on the movements, actions and correspondence exchanged between the region’s most prominent rulers and key figures, including the former Governor (Wali) of Basra, Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], the Emir of Najd and Al-Aḥsā, Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the Turkish Minister of War, Ismail Enver Pasha.Reports on public opinion amongst the Arab populations of the Persian Gulf, and proposed British propaganda measures, including plans to distribute copies of the
Illustrated War Newsto the various rulers in the Persian Gulf (ff 199-203).The breaking-off of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Turkey on 30 October 1914.Reports, submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox, Chief Political Officer of Indian Expeditionary Force D (IEFD), on the progress of IEFD at Basra, including reports of military action at Fao [Al-Fāw], (f 56, f 65, ff 67-68, ff 116-120, f 123).The death of Captain Richard Lockington Birdwood, Assistant Political Officer to Cox, at Basra, on 17 November 1914 (ff 90-91).Reports of anti-British propaganda and activities at Erzeroum [Erzurum], as reported by the city’s British Consul (ff 84-89, ff 103-104).Proposals, including those set out in a letter written by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson of the Indian Political Department, to the British Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], dated 28 November 1914 (ff 14-17) for Mesopotamia to become an Indian colony after the war.The file’s principal correspondents include: the India Office (John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Edmund George Barrow; Arthur Hirtzel); the Foreign Office (Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe; Louis du Pan Mallet); the Chief Political Officer of IEFD (Percy Zachariah Cox).The file includes a small number of copies of diplomatic exchanges between the British, Ottoman and Persian Governments (
notes verbale), which are written in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 248; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This volume comprises: correspondence; deciphered telegrams; India Office Political Department Minute and Draft papers containing draft letters, draft telegrams and internal notes; covering letters of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India (with enclosures); and India Office Political Department registry forms with subject and notes.The papers relate to the visit of the Shah of Persia [Aḥmad Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Iran] to Europe, chiefly the arrangements for his journey from Tehran [also spelled Teheran in this volume], departing in August 1919 and his return there, arriving in June 1920, and the defrayment of the costs thereof. The papers notably cover:The role of Sir Percy Cox, HM Minister in Tehran, in promoting and facilitating the trip, and of various British diplomats in arranging hosts, visits and accommodationPolitical considerations incumbent upon and generated by the visit, particularly with regard to Anglo-Persian relations and the Anglo-Persian Agreement of August 1919The progress of the Shah and his party on their journey: from Tehran, via Baku and the Caucasus, to Batoum [Batumi]; by sea, on HMS
Ceres,to Constantinople [Istanbul] and Taranto; and through Italy by railway to Switzerland, where the Shah planned to take a ‘rest of cure’ [rest cure] (f 246) before travelling to Paris and BiarritzDetails of the persons making up the royal party (see ff 230 and 239)The movements in Europe of Nusret-ed-Dowleh [Prince Fīrūz Mīrzā Nuṣrat-al-Dawlah III], the Persian [Iranian] Foreign Minister, including: his meeting in Geneva with the Swiss Ambassador, Sir Horace Rumbold; a visit to London in mid-September; and his stay in ParisThe practical and financial arrangements for the accompaniment of the Shah by a British officer on his outward and return journeysDomestic tensions and the perceived increasing Bolshevik influence in Persia [Iran], which contributed to the Shah's decision in April 1920 to hasten his return homeProgress of the Shah and his party on their return journey including their: departure from Marseille on 1 May on the P & O ship SS
Narkunda; reception in Port Said on 7 May by Field-Marshall Lord Allenby, High Commissioner for Egypt and Sudan; departure from Aden on 12 MayProgress of the Shah and his party up the Persian Gulf to Basra on the Royal Indian Marine Service steamer
Lawrence, including the Shah’s: visit to Bushire [Bushehr], 17-18 May (ff 62-65); meeting with the Civil Commissioner, Bagdad [also spelled Baghdad in this volume], at Basra; visit to Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] and meeting with the Sheik [Shaikh] and representatives of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, 20 May (ff 85, 71-72, 49-50)The cost and security considerations of the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, regarding the Shah’s journey through Mesopotamia [Iraq], by railway, from Basra to Baghdad and visit to the holy sites of Kerbela [Karbala] and Nejef [Najaf], 23-24 MayReport by Cox on the public reception of the Shah on his return to Tehran on 3 JuneA dispute between the India Office and the Foreign Office over liability for expenses incurred by the
Lawrencein May 1920 for conveyance of the Shah from Aden to Basra, including summaries of costs submitted by the Government of India Marine Department (ff 41-42, 34, 15-16).The primary correspondents are: the Foreign Office; the India Office; the Admiralty; the Treasury; HM Minister at Tehran; and the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad. There is also correspondence (chiefly of the Foreign Office) with commissioners, ambassadors, and other senior British Government overseas officials who were involved in the arrangements for portions of the Shah’s journey to and from Europe, notably: the Ambassador to France; the Assistant High Commissioner at Constantinople; the High Commissioner for Egypt and Sudan; the Ambassador to Berne; the Ambassador to Italy; and the Consul-General at Marseilles.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (front of the volume).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 264; 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 volume contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, telegrams and minutes. It mainly covers conversations between British officials regarding the process of sending gifts to the Sheikh of Mohammerah [Shaikh Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Ka‘bī of Mohammerah, now known as Khorramshahr, also written in this volume as Mohammera and Mahomerah].Related matters of discussion include the following: the Sheikh of Mohammerah and his role in Mesopotamia [Iraq] in recent years, as well as his relationship with British officers; a gift of recognition to the Sheikh of Mohammerah for supporting the British during the war [First World War]; an evaluation of the gift, which consists of a vessel and guns; the procedure of presenting the gift to the Sheikh; the valuation and cost of the supplies (of rifles and ammunition); payment; departure and arrival; disagreement among British officials (between the Government of India and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf) on the quantity of supplies; a related argument regarding Persia [Iran] becoming a signatory to the Arms Traffic Convention; information regarding the Sheikh of Mohammerah’s investment in a British war loan; conversations about the suspicions of a plot by the Persian Government with the Bakhitiari [Bakhtiyārī] tribe.In addition, the volume includes: ‘Memorandum on British Commitments (during the war) to the Gulf Chief’ (ff 175-181); a disposal and liquidation commission: a statement of guns, fittings and ammunition issued by the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, to the Sheikh of Mohammerah (ff 92-93); a list of stores requirements (f 62).The correspondence in the volume is mostly internal correspondence between British officials of different departments, along with some correspondence with French Government officials. The principal correspondents are: Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia; Political Officer, Baghdad; War Office; Ministry of Munitions of War; Disposal and Liquidation Commission; Inland Water Transport, Basrah [Basra]; and Army Council.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 223; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.