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37. 'Memorandum on the Note of the Persian Government, dated 22nd February 1906, embodying their objections to the Seistan Water Award.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum concerns the Seistan Water Award [Sīstān] arbitrated by Britain between Persia and Afghanistan; the award outlines the proportion of water from the River Helmond [Helmand] to be allotted to irrigation on both sides of the river. It is authored by Arthur Henry McMahon — the British commissioner appointed to draft the award — and includes his opinion on the legitimacy of these complaints.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 13, and terminates at f 20, 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 pagination sequence.
38. 'A NOTE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SEISTAN TO INDIA.'
- Description:
- Abstract: A paper by Captain Maurice Patrick O'Connor Tandy detailing the British connection with Seistan.The paper is divided into three sections:Part I: 'A brief review of British Consular activity in Seistan.';Part II: 'The present position in Seistan.';Part III: 'Possible future changes in Seistan and the policy recommended to Government.'Three appendices (folios 17-19) give the value of overland trade between India and Iran, 1900-1938; the numbers of British subjects in (a) Seistan, and (b) Birjand, 1934-39; and 'A brief note on Birjand'.The paper is accompanied by a covering letter (folio 1) from Tandy in his capacity as HM Vice-Consul, Birjand, dated 18 September 1939.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
39. 'Memorandum on Persian Railways'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum outlines the development of proposals for railways in Persia between 1872 and 1911. This includes discussion of the potential advantages/disadvantages (both commercial and political) for the British in the construction of railways in Southern Persia, and the potential threat posed by the expansion of Russian railways in Northern Persia towards British India, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. Proposals for various schemes are included, from those limited to internal routes within Persia, to schemes designed to link the rail networks of India and Russia via a Trans-Persian link. Consideration is also given to British and Russian efforts to maintain their spheres of influence in Persia, and their joint desire to resist any encroachment by Germany.The memorandum is signed by John Edward Ferard, India Office.The appendix (folios 123-132) contains supporting extracts from various papers (aide-mémoires, correspondence, memoranda, minutes, and published writings). This includes the following:an extract from a minute by George Nathaniel Curzon, Viceroy of India, dated 4 September 1899, respecting the importance of Seistan [Sīstān] to the maintenance of British influence in Southern Persia (ff 123-124);an extract from a minute by the Viceroy of India, dated 28 October 1901, respecting the potential threat of increasing Russian influence in Persia to Britain's strategic and commercial interests in the Persian Gulf (ff 124-125v);an extract from the Anglo-Persian Agreement (31 August 1907) respecting Persia (ff 125v-126);various communications between British, Persian, and Russian authorities on the topic of railway construction in Persia (ff 126-130);extracts from various published sources on the subject of railways in Persia (ff 130-132).An index to the memorandum can be found on folios 134-136. Some extracts in the main body of the memorandum, and some papers included in the appendix are in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 95, and terminates at f 136, 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.
40. 'Memorandum. Regarding our future relations with Persia, with special reference to the extension and maintenance of British influence, and to the system of British Consular representation in Southern Persia.'
- Description:
- Abstract: This memorandum, written by Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Travers O'Connor, concerns the new subdivision of Persia into two spheres of influence – Russian and British – with the present neutral zone falling into the British sphere. The memorandum considers what system of Consular or other representation should be adopted in order to maintain not only law and order, but also British influence in the area.Before discussing the issue of Consular representation, O'Connor mentions two alternative suggestions regarding the future of Southern Persia (the first being that Britain should decline to extend its influence beyond its present zone, and the second being that Southern Persia should be turned into one or more independent states), which he dismisses as lying outside the sphere of practical politics.Assuming that the British sphere will encompass the whole of Southern Persia, O'Connor advocates the continuation of the existing post of British Minister at Tehran (located in the Russian sphere), and suggests that the Minister should be supported by Consular officers residing in the capital of each province. O'Connor suggests that Consul or Consul-General posts – to be held by officers of the Indian Political Department – should be present in the following places: Sistan [also spelled Seistan in this file] (as at present); Kerman (for the province of Kerman); Shiraz (for Fars, excluding the Gulf hinterland); Mohammerah [Khorramshahr in modern-day Iran] (for Arabistan); and Bushire (for the Gulf and for hinterland affairs).In addition, O'Connor advocates the appointment of a Resident or Consul in the Bakhtiari country. He suggests that his proposed Consulates be run in the same way as the existing Consulates at Seistan, Meshed and Kerman.O'Connor goes on to address the problem of the rivalry between the Home Government and the Indian Government on the subject of Southern Persia. He makes the following two proposals: either Southern Persia should be placed under direct control of the Indian Government, or it should be guaranteed that the Minister at Tehran will always be an officer from British India, who has been nominated for the post by the Indian Government.In this memorandum, O'Connor suggests that the future arrangement of Consular representation in Southern Persia has been made complicated by the anomalous status of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. O'Connor argues that, in the post-war period, whilst it would still be possible to retain a Resident at Bushire, it would not need to be such an important and highly paid appointment; he appears to imply that his proposed Consul at Shiraz and Consul at Bushire would take over the Resident's responsibilities regarding inland Persia and the Gulf and its hinterland respectively.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 18, and terminates at f 20, 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.
41. 'Question of a Loan to Persia.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum consists of a number of notes authored by the following: Sir Hugh Barnes, Sir Dennis Fitzpatrick, Sir John Edge, and Sir William Lee-Warner; all members of the Council of India.The notes discuss whether or not Britain should advance a further loan to Persia, and what concessions should be obtained in return if it does; the British desire to limit the growth of Russian influence in Persia. It is therefore debated as to whether the revenues of the Southern Ports and/or Seistan [Sīstān] could be obtained, along with a possible railway concession in Southern Persia in order to deny it to Russia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 1, and terminates at f 7, 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.
42. 'Notes on Persian Seistan'
- Description:
- Abstract: A confidential report on the Persian region of Seistan [Sistan]. The report was compiled by Captain Edward Abadie Plunkett, 1st Battalion (Lincoln Regiment), in the Intelligence Branch, Quarter-Master General's Department. The report was printed at the Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, India, 1903.The report contains information on geography, canal systems, communications, routes, climate, resources, ethnography, administration, agriculture, and local dialect. Included within the volume are the following:District tables for Miankangi, Pusht-I-Ab, Mahal-I-Nahrui, Mahal-I-Sharaki, and Sheb-I-Ab, with statistics on numbers of houses, ploughs, horses, oxen, sheep and goats, camels, and donkeys for each village in each district (folios 7-28)Genealogical tables for the various tribes in the region (folios 34-39)Vocabulary and useful phrases in the local dialect (folios 42-45)A map showing the cultivated areas of the region (folio 69).Part II of the report is a gazetteer (folios 46-65).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 68; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
43. ‘Abstract of the Routes of Lieutts Christie and Pottinger. 1810-’
- Description:
- Abstract: A copy of an abstract describing the overland routes to Persia [Iran] taken by Lieutenants Charles Christie and Henry Pottinger from the port of Sonmeany [Sonmiani], for the purpose of exploring Siestan [Sistan] and Baloochistan [Balochistan], on the instructions of Brigadier-General John Malcolm.The copy indicates that it was originally signed by Pottinger and dated Kermanshah, 8 September 1810, and the copy is signed by Malcolm. The verso of the last folio (folio 14) states that it was received via the ship Exeteron 8 August 1811.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
44. 'Memorandum on the Financial Obligations of the British, Indian and Persian Governments respectively in relation to Telegraph Lines in Persia.'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum concerning the financial obligations of the British, Indian and Persian Governments respectively in relation to telegraph lines in Persia. The memorandum is divided into sections as follows:Jask royalty and claims for wilful damage (the claims in question being against the Persian Government);Central Persia line;Henjam-Bunder Abbas [Henjān-Bandar-e ʻAbbās] line;Arabistan [Khūzestān] telegraph lines reconstruction;Robat-Seistan [Robāţ-e Meshkī-Sīstān-e Balūchestān] line;Kerman-Bunder Abbas line.Each section provides details of the costs of construction of the line(s) in question, plus the amount payable by the Persian Government. For some of the lines, details of costs incurred by other bodies, such as HM Treasury, the Foreign Office, and the India Office, are included.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 211, and terminates at f 216, 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.
45. Afghan policy on Seistan
- Description:
- Abstract: Letter and Enclosure to HM Secretary of State for India, dated 6 December 1871.The letter encloses a report by the Agent at Cabul [Kabul], on the intentions of the Amir of Afghanistan in relation to Seistan [Sistan]. The Amir had given stringent orders to his dependent rulers not to allow any of their subjects to cause disturbances on the Seistan border. The letter states that the instruction would allay the apprehensions of the Shah of Persia of an Afghan advance into Seistan.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
46. Affairs in Herat
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosure nos. 3-33 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to events in Herat, and its status after the withdrawal of Persian occupation at the end of the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57. Subjects covered include:An unsuccessful rebellion in HeratA Russian envoy arriving at Candahar [Kandahar, Afghanistan] with the intention of continuing to HeratThe importance of improving Herat’s defences if it is to remain independentA Persian [Iranian] attack on Merv, successfully defended by the Takkeh Toorkomans [Teke Turkmen]Competing claims over Seistan [Sistan] by the rulers of Candahar, Herat and Persia [Iran]The dissolution and final report (included on ff 471-480) of the British Commission to Herat.The primary correspondent is the Chief Commissioner, Herat. Other correspondents include: Dost Mahomed, Ameer of Cabul [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy, Amīr of Afghanistan]; Nawab Foujdar Khan [Nawwāb Fūjdār Khān], British Vakeel [agent] at Cabul [Kabul]; HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (110 folios)
47. Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: This file is formed of two parts, both comprising a set of papers collected by George Nathaniel Curzon during his term as Viceroy of India. The larger set of papers (Mss Eur F111/359/1) contains copies of reports and correspondence relating to Britain’s interests in Persia and the Persian Gulf, including papers relating to Seistan [Sistan]. The second set of papers is a printed summary of the history of British policy in Persia from the nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, consisting of extracts from Foreign Office correspondence and extracts from House of Commons speeches given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs respectively.Physical description: Foliation: this file consists of two physical files. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of file one (ff 1-475) and terminates at the inside back cover of file two (ff 476-531); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
48. 'Persia, Herat, and Seistan'
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum concerns the state of diplomatic relations between Britain and Persia; it is the view of a number of British officials that the time is ripe to secure a privileged position for Britain at the expense of Russia. To this end it therefore discusses the pros and cons of ceding Herat, Seistan [Sīstān], or other Afghan territory to Persia.A narrative (from 14 January 1879 to 1 January 1880) of these diplomatic exchanges is outlined through extracts from correspondence (largely telegrams), and through recollections of conversations, between British and Persian officials. This then develops into more detailed proposals on the terms by which the British might be willing to cede, and the Persians willing to accept, Herat. Parts of the narrative are in French; presumably the original conversation/correspondence was in this language.The memorandum is signed by Owen Tudor Burne of the India Office.This narrative is continued in IOR/L/PS/18/C29/2.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 79, and terminates at f 92, 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 pagination sequence.