Abstract: This part contains papers mostly relating to British interests in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf.It includes a copy of the Board of Trade Commercial Intelligence Committee ‘Report received from Mr. H. W. Maclean, the Special Commissioner appointed by the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the Board of Trade, on the conditions and prospects of British trade in Persia.’A handwritten note at the front of the file, on folio 5, states ‘Spare copy of notes & correspondence of the “Helmand Control” file (with maps)’. Folio 110 consists of handwritten notes, including one dated 27 April 1904, which states ‘The secret Helmand papers have been printed up, and a set, with necessary maps, is submitted for H.E. the Viceroy to take to England.’ Much of the file concerns the question of controlling the water of the Helmand river and irrigating its whole delta, and the work of the Seistan Arbitration Commission to arbitrate between Persia and Afghanistan on the question of rights to the water of the Helmand in Seistan.The file also includes reports by W A Johns on reconnaissances of potential railway routes made while he was attached to the Seistan Arbitration Commission, and other papers relating to railways and roads in Persia.In addition, the file includes copies of the following Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, which reproduce received Foreign Department correspondence on the following subjects: ‘Selection of a British naval base in the Persian Gulf.’, November 1901, Nos. 74-83; ‘Visit of His Excellency the Viceroy to the Persian Gulf during November-December 1903.’, February 1904, Nos. 33-127; ‘Establishment of telegraphic communication with Henjam. Question of the selection of a naval base in the Persian Gulf. Aggressive action of the Persians at Tamb and Abu Musa; their claim to the Islands.’, June 1904, Nos. 300-388; ‘Reports of the Commercial Mission to Persia.’, June 1905, Nos. 45-111; ‘Question of retaining flagstaffs erected in the neighbourhood of the Musandim Promontory’, August 1905, Nos. 288-307.’The file also includes: brief handwritten notes written by Curzon on headed paper belonging to the Viceregal Lodge, Simla, relating to Seistan and to Lord Kitchener’s planned reforms for the reorganisation and redistribution of the Indian Army; and a printed copy of the report ‘A Note by Major H.L. [Herbert Lionel] Showers, C.I.E., on the present state of affairs in Kelat and a review of the system of Administration now being pursued.’The file includes four maps: ‘Map of the Tail waters of Helmand River’ (13 July 1903), f 122; ‘Plan Shewing Proposed Routes for a Railway from Nushki to Afghan Frontier near Robat’ (10 April 1903), f 139; ‘Extract from Admiralty Chart No. 753. (Entrance to the Persian Gulf).’ (October 1901), f 219; and ‘Sketch of route Ram Hormuz to Fellahieh.’ (April 1904), f 230.Physical description: The papers are arranged in no apparent order, apart from the Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, folios 231 to 474, which are arranged in chronological order.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the external developments which took place in the Trucial States, covering 1908-28, and how problems presented by the States stand at the time of writing.Covering:introduction – to the memorandum itself; Trucial Chiefs; administration; responsibility of political control by the Government of India; and political expenditure;internal History, 1908-28 – noting it is not to be repeated in this memorandum, but does include a section on an agreement concerning oil concessions;external developments affecting the Trucial Sheikhs, 1908-28 – the rise of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and activity of the Wahabis [Wahhabis]; the reassertion of Persian authority in the Persian Gulf, particularly Henjam; and Persia challenging the independence of Trucial Chiefs, particularly Tamb;It includes a summary detailing the problem of Ibn Saud and the Wahabi [Wahhabi] movement, the question of an Imperial air route along the north Arabian coast, and the importance of British influence in the Gulf. A list of points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and the view expressed by the Government of India are also given.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 53, and terminates at f 56, 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: This file relates to incidents of Kuwaiti sailing boats being intercepted (and in some cases seized and detained) by Persian warships and other vessels, on suspicions of smuggling. The file largely consists of correspondence between British officials regarding several specific incidents, including one case in which a Kuwaiti dhow was reportedly seized by a Persian warship (the
Babr) off Henjam [Henjān], and towed to Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. Much of the correspondence surrounding this case and others is concerned with establishing whether or not the incidents occurred within Persian territorial waters.The file discusses more generally the British perspective regarding the extent of Persia's territorial waters and the Persian Navy's right to stop and search foreign vessels in the Gulf. Also included are instructions from the Admiralty regarding the attitude that should be adopted by His Majesty's ships in the Gulf in response to incidents of interference by Persian vessels.The principal correspondents are the following:Political Agent, Kuwait;Political Resident in the Persian Gulf;British Minister, Tehran (later referred to as His Majesty's Ambassador, Tehran);British Chargé d'Affaires, Tehran;Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmed Al-Jabir As-Sabah [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ];Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs;Foreign Office;India Office;Admiralty;Persian [Iranian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs;Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf.Some of the correspondence dating from after 1935 refers to 'Iranian' rather than 'Persian' vessels, presumably in response to the Iranian Government's request for the international community to refer to the state by its historical name.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 275; 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 3-274, and ff 6-274; 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: This file documents a series of investigations carried out by various British officials into reports of Kuwaiti sailing boats being seized and detained by Iranian authorities. Most of the file consists of copies of telegrams between the following British officers: the Political Resident, Bushire (also serving as British Consul-General); the British Consul, Kerman; the British Minister, Tehran. Other correspondents in the file include the following: the Political Agent, Kuwait; the British Vice-Consul, Khorramshahr; the Ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad al Jabir as Sabah [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ]; the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs.The majority of the file is concerned with a case involving a Kuwaiti sailing craft that was reportedly seized by an Iranian warship (an Imperial Iranian Navy ship referred to as HIMS
Babr) near Henjam [Henjān] on suspicion of smuggling, and towed to Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]. Much of the correspondence between British officials is concerned with confirming whether or not the boat was outside Iranian territorial waters when it was seized.Another case relates to a Kuwaiti boat that was apparently seized by Iranian customs officials at Qusbeh (also referred to as Gusbah) [Qoşbeh-ye Manī‘āt, Khuzestan, Iran], on the Iranian side of the Shatt al Arab. The third and final case concerns a Kuwaiti dhow that was reportedly seized at Khorramshahr.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 109; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-107; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the British connection with the island of Henjam.Covering:introduction to the location of Basidu [Bāsa‘īdū] and its strategic importance; use of the island by the British; the Beni Yas tribe inhabitants;international status of Henjam – Persian and Muscat claims;the British Telegraph Concession at Henjam - a history from 1868 – and the use of the location as a base for naval authorities and as a coaling station;1926-8: reassertion of Persian claims – customs; enquiry by the Persian Government as to the right of property of His Majesty's Government in Basidu and Henjam; the expulsion of the Shaikh of Henjam in May 1928; and consideration of action to be taken at Henjam in the event of Persian aggression under the Telegraph Concession;relations between the Sheikh [Shaikh] of Henjam and Persia: 1904-28 – friction between Persian officials and the Arab inhabitants, and the expulsion and return of the Shaikh.It includes a summary detailing the position and legal rights of His Majesty's Government in Henjam, and the desirability to maintain the connection. In addition, a list of points referred to the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and the views expressed by the Government of India are given.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 60, and terminates at f 63, 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 concerns an order from the Deputy Governor, Henjam (acting on the instructions of the Government of Persia) that all vessels in Henjam (including British naval vessels flying the white ensign and using the Royal Indian Navy depot there) should be registered and numbered.The papers indicate that British officials though that registration was probably not a Persian challenge to the British position at Henjam. Registration was eventually postponed by the Persian Government.The file includes correspondence from the Admiralty and HM Minister, Tehran.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 first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 45; these numbers are printed, 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.
Abstract: Correspondence and other papers concerning the drafting of an agreement between the Governments of Britain and Persia [Iran], concerning the withdrawal of the Indo-European Telegraph Department from Persia, and the subsequent taking over of cables and equipment in Persia by the Persian Government. The agreement covers: the costs of daily use of the cables; maintenance of the cable between Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; transit dues for communications sent between Iraq and India; access to Gulf ports by cable ships. The papers include:Multiple drafts of the agreement, in French. A printed copy of the final agreement in French and English translation, dated 17 February 1932, is included (ff 141-144).Correspondence concerning difficulties in maintaining an import of supplies to telegraph stations in Persia.Registration of the Imperial and International Communications Company Limited (IICC) in Persia.Discussion amongst British officials over the merits of abandoning cable communication in the Gulf, and closing down the telegraph stations on the Persian coast of the Gulf, in favour of using wireless communications.Correspondence from 1932 concerning the costs of repairs to the Henjam-Bandar Abbas cable, incurred by IICC/Cable & Wireless Limited, and charged against the Persian Government.The volume’s principal correspondents are: the India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite); the British Legation at Tehran (Robert Henry Clive; Charles Dodd; Reginald Hervey Hoare); the Indo-European Telegraph Department (Maurice George Simpson); the Indo-European Telegraph Company (which became the IICC, and from 1935, Cable & Wireless Limited (J O Stevens Perry; Ralph Lawson)).The volume contains a single item in Persian (f 82), being an order issued by the Shah of Persia, dated 28 Khordad 1311 (equivalent to 18 June 1932), ratifying the Indo-European Telegraph Department agreement.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 409; 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 relating to food and supply shortages suffered by staff of the Indo-European Telegraph Department manning telegraph stations along the Persian coast of the Persian Gulf. The file’s principal correspondents include the India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite), Imperial and International Communications Limited (J O Stevens Perry), the British Legation at Tehran (Charles Dodd, Lacy Baggallay, Reginald Hervey Hoare), and the Foreign Office (Charles William Baxter, George William Rendel). The shortages were a result of the introduction by the Persian Government of a Trade Monopoly Law, banning the import of goods into Persia without goods of equivalent value being exported in the opposite direction. The correspondence focuses on the wording of the Telegraphs Agreement under negotiation between the British and Persian Governments, classification of official stores, and the issue of import licenses for supplies. The file includes lists of the private stores (ff 119-122) and official stores (ff 109-112) for staff of Imperial and International Communications Limited, based at telegraph stations in Bushire, Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], Jask, and Charbar [Chabahar].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 138; 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: The file concerns the evacuation of the British naval stations at Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Basidu [Bāsaʻīdū, Qeshm], in Iran (generally referred to in the papers as Persia), and the transfer of naval facilities to a new main station at Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein) and a subsidiary station at Khor Quwai (also spelled Khor Kuwai), Musandam, in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. The British Government had become aware that the legal basis for their occupation of Basidu was very weak, and that it would probably be impossible to oppose a determined effort by the Iranian Government to assert their claims to Basidu. In addition, between 1932 and 1934 there had been a change in the relative importance to the United Kingdom of the Arab and Iranian coasts of the Persian Gulf; the Arab side was now viewed as being more important, as a result of (a) the transfer of the air route to the Arab Coast in 1932, and (b) the discovery of oil at Bahrain, and its probable existence in other parts of the Arab coast. For these reasons, it was felt desirable to move the base of British naval operations in the area (Foreign Office memorandum, folios 221-225).The main correspondents are the Foreign Office; the Admiralty; senior British naval officers; HM Minister, Tehran (Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull Hugesson); and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle).The papers include: discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a naval station at Khor Quwai (folios 539-571); issues raised by Muscat's position as an independent state, and the Anglo-French Declaration of 1862 (folios 529-538); minutes of meetings at the Foreign Office and the Admiralty; the question of the reaction of the Iranian Government; discussion of the announcement of the withdrawal; negotiations with the Sultan of Muscat [Sa'īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa'īd] over Khor Quwai; the removal of stores from Henjam; the question of the protection of British cemeteries at Henjam and Basidu (e.g. Iranian assurances, folio 126); descriptions of the evacuation of Henjam and Basidu in April 1935 in intelligence reports and correspondence; and the expression of gratitude by British Government to the Ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah]) over the assistance given by the Government of Bahrain in construction work for the new station at Bahrain (folios 39-54).The Arabic language content of the file consists of a single item of correspondence on folio 40.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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 574; 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 between British officials concerning the removal of a British naval depot on Henjam Island and its relocation to Bahrain. The correspondence includes a broader discussion of Britain's position in Persia and its impact on the country's role in the Persian Gulf generally. The early correspondence in the file on folios 159-179 is related to a survey of Khor Kaliya Bay in Bahrain.In addition to correspondence, the file contains the following:'Memorandum by Admiralty and Foreign Office, dated 23rd February, 1932 on the subject of the British Naval Depot at Henjam' (folios15-26)Committee of Imperial Defence. Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East: Minutes of a Meeting held December 17th 1931. (folios 34-48)'Admiralty Memorandum on the Question of the Removal of the British Naval Depot at Henjam and the Practicability of an Alternative Base' (folios 55-65)Committee of Imperial Defence. Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East: Minutes of a Meeting held August 18th 1931. (folios 95-105)'Minutes of an Interdepartmental Conference held at the India Office on Monday, 20th July, 1931' concerning question of transferring naval base in Persian Gulf from Henjam to Bahrain (folios 112-116)'Minutes of an Interdepartmental Conference held at the India Office on Wednesday 29th July, 1931' concerning question of transferring naval base in Persian Gulf from Henjam to Bahrain (folios 125-131)India Office Memorandum entitled 'Position and Rights of His Majesty's Government in Basidu' (folios 142-144)India Office Memorandum entitled 'Position and Rights of His Majesty's Government in the Island of Henjam. The Sheikh of Henjam and his Affairs' (folios 145-148)India Office Memorandum entitled 'Muscat 1908-1928' (folios 149-157).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 180; 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 contains correspondence related to the disputed ownership of the Tamb (also written as Tanb and Tund) [Greater and Lesser Tumb] islands between Ras al-Khaimah and the Government of Persia. The islands of Abu Musa and Henjam and their status are also mentioned intermittently throughout the file.The file is largely composed of internal correspondence between British officials at the Foreign Office, India Office, Royal Navy (including the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf) and the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf.In addition to this, the file also contains a limited amount of correspondence between British officials and the Government of Persia, some of which is in French.In addition to correspondence, the file also contains the following:Two copies of a memorandum by Mr Lascelles entitled 'Persian Claim to Tamb and Abu Musa (folios 26-32 and 141-145).A 'Note on the Arab Custom of Holding Property "In Common"' written by Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, the Political Agent in Kuwait (folios 40-44).An India Office report entitled 'Status of the Islands of Tamb, Little Tamb, Abu Musa and Sirri' (folios 347-350).A memorandum entitled 'Suggestion that the Island of Tamb Might be Leased to Persia (folios 419-422).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 for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 439; 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 present between ff 4-436 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Correspondence, minutes, and memoranda relating to cases of refugee slaves in the Persian Gulf and particularly along the Persian coast. The correspondence is principally interdepartmental in nature and is between officials at the India Office, Foreign Office, and Admiralty. Further correspondence, mostly enclosures, is between officials at the British Legation in Tehran and British Residency and Consulate General in Bushire, the Commissioner of Police in Bombay, Chief of Police in Gibraltar, and the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Division. Also contained within the file are several reports of escaped slaves by officers aboard a number of vessels in the Persian Gulf, including HMS
Lupin, HMS
Bideford, HMS
Shoreham, HMS
Triad, HMS
Hastings, and HMS
Folkestone.The reports centre on the Persian Coast in places such as Henjam and Jask. The majority of slaves are escaping from places along the Trucial Coast of the Arabian Peninsula.Matters dealt with by the correspondence in connection to these cases include:The attitude of the Persian authorities and the question of the correct way of involving themThe manumission and repatriation of slavesResponsibility for costs.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 main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 129; 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 66-74, and ff 94-97; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.