Abstract: This file contains two letters listed in the file notes at the rear of the file. The first, on folio 4, dated 30 March 1933, is from Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain, to Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, concerning persecution of Shiahs in Hasa [al-Aḥsā’] and complaints by Shaikh Ali bin Hasan al Musa [‘Alī bin Ḥasan al-Mūsá], the Shiah Qadhi [Qadi] of Sinabis [Sanābis, Bahrain], and Yusif bin Rustam [Yūsuf bin Rustam], a resident of Sanābis, regarding the alleged appropriation of their fish traps at Qatif [al-Qaṭīf]. The second, on folio 5, dated 5 March 1950, from the British Embassy at Jeddah, to the Cornelius James Pelly, Political Agent at Bahrain, concerns reports of a Bahraini having been flogged to death at al Khobar [al-Khubar] for the offence of playing the lute.There are two additional folios in the file which are not referenced in the file’s notes. Folio 2 is a letter, dated 28 November 1914, from Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Busreh [Basra], to Captain Terence Humphrey Keyes, Political Agent at Bahrain, recommending Shaikh Abdulla [‘Abdullāh Āl Khalīfah or Āl Thānī?] for a CIE [Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire] honour on 1 January 1915. Folio 3 is a note by the Political Agent at Bahrain, dated 26 June 1915, regarding taxes on date gardens in al-Qaṭīf owned by Abdur Rahman Zayani [‘Abd al-Raḥmān al-Zayānī], Yousuf bin Abdur Rahman Fakhroo [Yūsuf bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Fakhrū] and Jasem bin Jodar [Jāsim bin Jūdar].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the inside 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present between ff 3-6; these numbers are also written in pencil and can be found in the same position, but they are not circled.
Abstract: This files concerns relations between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Amir of Dhahran [al-Ẓahrān] on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The correspondents in the file include Khalid Sidairi [Khālid al-Suayrī], Amir of al-Ẓahrān; the Political Agent at Bahrain; and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire.The correspondence of May 1945 (ff 2-5) concerns the appointment of Khālid al-Suayrī by Abdul-Aziz [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)] to administer the Amirate [Emirate] of Dhahran [Imārat Muqāṭi‘at al-Ẓahrān]. The correspondence of April 1946 (f 6) concerns a visit of the Bahrain State Engineer to Hassa [al-Aḥsā’] 20-25 March 1946 at the request of the Amir of Hassa (perhaps also of the Amir of Dhahran?) to advise both on the electrification of the town of Hofuf [al-Hufūf], and on the question of whether equipment and infrastructure had been supplied by the United States of America or Britain.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 file concerns the exchange of postal services between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and covers:1932-1933 (ff 2-30): the conveyance of post between Hasa [al-Aḥsā’] and Bahrain, as well as between Hasa and other foreign countries via Bahrain;1934 (ff 31-43): Saudi Posts, Telegraph and Telephone Department establishing a daily mail service between Bahrain and Hofuf [al-Hufūf] and Katif [al-Qaṭīf];1933-1934 (ff 44-51): use of Arabic language in the wording of the 'Bulletin de verification' (ff 44-51);1935 (ff 52-61): the exchange of mails between Bahrain and Hofuf and Katif and the discontinuance of the use of the term 'Agent of Hofuf at Bahrain' (ff 58-61);1940 (ff 62-69): the conveyance by air or surface of letters for the outside world by air or sea mail, which it is stated must be posted at Al Khobar [al-Khubar] with Saudi Arabian stamps (ff 62-69).The correspondents in the file include: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Superintendent of Post Offices, Lower Sind and Persian Gulf in Karachi; and the Postmaster at Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-33; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file concerns jurisdiction over residents of Nejd [Najd] and Hasa [al-Aḥsā’] at Bahrain in the Political Agent's courts, under provisions made by the Bahrain Order in Council. Reference is also made to punishments meted out by ‘Abdullāh bin Jilūwī at Hasa (folio 12).The correspondents in the volume include: ‘Abdullāh bin Jilūwī, representative of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] at Hasa; Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain; Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 4-18 and ff 19-21 respectively; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The map shows a central northern portion of the Arabian Peninsula, indicating roads and camel routes, geographical regions, hydrology, vegetation, settlements and wells, with some indication of relief.An accompanying letter indicates that the map is a reproduction made by the Surveyor General in India. The map bears the printing statement, 'California Arabian Standard Oil Co. Producing Department Geological Division', and is dated 'Feb.24, 1940'.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 615 x 530mm, on sheet 790 x 680mm
Abstract: The map shows a central northern portion of the Arabian Peninsula, indicating roads and camel routes, geographical regions, hydrology, vegetation, settlements and wells, with some indication of relief.The map bears the printing statement, 'Survey Section[, General Staff, India] No. 1228 Nov. 1940.'Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 633 x 537mm, on sheet 708 x 610mm
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence to and from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch), Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), and Political Agent at Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson) regarding matters in Saudi Arabia and their affect, particularly on Kuwait and Bahrain. The main topic of discussion being a concession in Hasa, Saudi Arabia which was contested by the Standard Oil Company of California and the Iraq Petroleum Company, and was awarded to Standard Oil in July 1933.The correspondence, primarily between HM's Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan) and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir John Simon) includes details of the negotiations and translations of the concession agreement which was published in
Umm-al-Qurain July 1933. Also discussed are attempts to obtain information about the special agreement between Standard Oil and the Sa'udi Arab Government which was not published and which contained details of the exact values of the concession, the area covered by it, and a clause relating to the Kuwait-Najd neutral zone concession. Later correspondence also discusses the progress being made by Standard Oil in developing their concession.Other matters discussed in the file include:correspondence from the Political Agent at Kuwait regarding rumours that the Shaikh of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ) travelled to Najd to meet with Ibn Saud (‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd), King of Saudi Arabia, or one of his close advisers to discuss matters including a potential alleviation of the blockade on Kuwait and their joining forces in regards to the oil concession agreement in the neutral zone (ff 6-17);a memorandum written by the Petroleum Department about Petroleum in Arabia which covers the topics: Petroleum prospects in Arabia, interested or potentially interested companies, past concessions affecting Saudi Arabia, the present position. The memorandum includes brief summaries of all the key oil companies and interested parties in oil concessions in Arabia (ff 90-91);correspondence regarding the prohibition on private planes flying to Bahrain and a request by the Standard Oil Company of California to use Bahrain as their base of operations during their survey of Hasa which was denied, and the eventual decision to allow Standard Oil's aeroplane to land at Bahrain should there be a serious medical emergency involving either their staff or those of the Mesopotamia-Persia corporation (ff 112, 131-133, 155-156, 173-175);a record of an interview which Frederick Charles Starling of the Mines Department had with Edmund William Janson of the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited in which Eastern and General's interest in a possible concession in Asir was discussed along with their activities in regard to previous concessions (ff 147-149).A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 179-187.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers arewritten in pencil, are circled, 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 6-192; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
Abstract: A sketch map prepared for the Bahrain Political Agent to illustrate the area of the Arabian Peninsula — shown in pink — served by trade with Bahrain.Physical description: Materials: 1 paper folioDimensions: 332 x 206mm
Abstract: The file concerns the question ('Qn' in the file title) of whether the British Government required a pre-emption agreement (to commandeer oil in case of national emergency) in the case of oil from Hasa.The file includes correspondence on the matter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; minutes by India Office officials; and comments from the Admiralty, the Petroleum Department, and the Foreign Office.The papers discuss the political and contractual position. The Political Resident confirms in a letter dated 23 January 1940 that all Hasa oil that was imported for refining in Bahrain was bought by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) from the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC). This, in the opinion of British officials, would facilitate the commandeering of oil if necessary (folio 3)The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 35; 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 file contains correspondence pertaining to the re-entry of Hindu merchants to al-Hasa and Qatif after a number of them had been ordered to leave in 1928.The majority of the correspondence in the file is between British officials, but it also contains a limited amount of letters that were exchanged between British diplomatic staff in Jeddah and the King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Sa'ud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and one of his closest advisors, Yusuf Yassin.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 58; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and papers related to negotiations between the British Government and the Government of Saudi Arabia for the establishment of emergency landing grounds along the Hasa Coast, and proposed arrangements for their maintenance. The intention was that these facilities would be used by aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF) or Imperial Airways in the event of an emergency. It further covers measures to be taken to prevent the intrusion of British aircraft into Saudi territory during the progress of negotiations.Also briefly covered in the file is a visit by Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] to the Netherlands in 1935 (see folios 26-71) and the attitude of the Saudis to foreign aircraft flying over their territory (see folios 3-21).The main correspondents are as follows: HM Minister at Jeddah (Sir Andrew Ryan), officials of the Foreign Office (mainly George William Rendel), and officials of the Air Ministry (mainly James Stirling Ross). The negotiations are primarily undertaken through Fuad Bey Hamza and Shaikh Yusuf Yasin.Prior to 1932, Saudi Arabia was known as the Kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd, and this is reflected in the file.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 282; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Bookmarks are present on the verso side of f 41 and f 272; these have been labelled with an ‘a’.
Abstract: This file relates to oil concessions in Saudi Arabia, particularly the Hasa [Al Hasa] concession between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Standard Oil Company of California (SoCal). It includes discussion of the following:Oil negotiations in Saudi Arabia during March and April 1933, and the reported involvement of Major Frank Holmes in negotiations relating to the Kuwait (also spelled Koweit in the file) [Saudi-Kuwaiti] neutral zone.Details of an agreement for the oil concession relating to the Hasa region of Saudi Arabia, made between the Government of Saudi Arabia and SoCal (signed on 27 May 1933), and assigned by SoCal to its subsidiary, the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (Casoc).British concerns regarding a request made by Casoc via the United States Embassy for its aeroplane to be permitted to fly over Kuwait and Bahrain, as part of a survey of the region relating to its oil concession.Reports that Casoc may be interested in exhanging the southern half of its Hasa concession for land further west, and the effect that this might have on Britain's negotiations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd].Reports of the discovery of oil in Hasa in 1935, and the discovery of commercial quantities of oil there in March 1938.Reports that Casoc is considering the possibility of laying a pipeline from Hasa to Bahrain.Casoc's oil rights in the Kuwait neutral zone.The progress of operations carried out in Hasa by Casoc, including the status of its wells at Dhahran.An account of a visit made by the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman) to Casoc's site at Dhahran as well as to other areas in the region, in May 1939.Details of a loan from Casoc to the Government of Saudi Arabia.Reports of Casoc having taken the decision to construct a refinery at Ras Tanura.The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Agent, Kuwait; the Secretary of State for the Colonies; His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires, Jedda; the His Majesty's Minister at Jedda; officials of the Foreign Office, the India Office, the War Office, the Air Ministry, and the Petroleum Department; representatives of Casoc.In addition to correspondence the file includes the following:Copies of the oil agreement and a supplementary agreement between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Standard Oil Company of California, dated 1933 and 1939 respectively.Extracts from Bahrain and Kuwait intelligence reports.The minutes of an interdepartmental meeting held at the Colonial Office on 26 April 1933, concerning British interests in oil in the Persian Gulf (notably Kuwait, Bahrain, Hasa in Saudi Arabia, and the Kuwaiti neutral zone).Draft and final copies of a War Office report entitled 'Brief Summary of the Oil Situation in the Middle East, November 1934'.The date range of the volume is 1923-1945 but only a handful of items date from before 1933. These include copies of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf's correspondence with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India respectively, which date from 1923 to 1926 and concern the possibility of oil development both in Qatar and on the Trucial Coast.The file includes three dividers which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence (folios 2-4).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 575; 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.