Abstract: This file consists of a note written by Colonel Edward Charles Sparshott Williams, in which the author assesses the new practicalities and costs introduced by the Persian Government's desire to extend the proposed construction of a railway all the way from Mohamerah [Khorramshahr] to Teheran [Tehran]. He also makes specific comments and suggestions relating to clauses in the draft contract for construction of the railway.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at folio 201, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located at the top right corner of the folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.
Abstract: These folios consist of summaries of letters from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, sent from Baghdad (6 June, Number 46; and 8 June, Numbers 47-48).The summaries concern Herat, including the Persian Government’s reported intention to delay their departure from Herat, the conclusion of the Treaty between Ferook Khan and the American Minister at Constantinople, and the receipt by Murray of an invitation from the Persian Government to resume his diplomatic functions at Teheran [Tehran].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This memorandum, written by Lord Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon, Marquess Curzon of Kedleston], discusses a proposed Bunder Abbas–Kerman railway line. Curzon considers the possible diplomatic, commercial and strategic motives for constructing the railway line.Curzon argues that if the line has been suggested merely as a diplomatic rejoinder – that is to say, as a response to a Russian concession from Baku to Teheran [Tehran] – then the proposal is of little merit.He suggests that if the line is being proposed for its commercial value then this should be demonstrated by the figures of trade. Moreover, Curzon argues that the line's commercial effect on any future extension of the Nushki railway beyond Dalbandin should also be considered, since both lines would then be competing for the trade of East Persia and Khorasan.Curzon suggests that one strategic advantage of constructing a line from Bunder Abbas to Kerman would be the prospect of diverting a future Teheran–Yezd–Kerman Russian railway line away from the direction of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 14, and terminates at f 14, 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 note written by Colonel Edward Charles Sparshott Williams, Deputy Government Director of Indian Guaranteed Railway Companies, in which the author assesses the practicalities and costs of constructing a number of alternative proposed river and rail routes, designed to improve communications from Mohummerah towards Teheran or Ispahan in southern Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at folio 200, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located at the top right corner of the folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.
Abstract: This printed memorandum was compiled by diplomat Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, and discusses various subjects relating to the state of affairs in Persia including:the perceived nature of the Persian people;the perceived character of the current Shah of Teheran [Tehran] and concerns over the future succession;the style of governance in Persia;English-Russian relations and the involvement of both countries in Persia;the views of Sir Henry Wolff on reforms in Persia and the appropriate action for the English to take;the proposed building of railways in Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 9, and terminates at f 10, 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.
Abstract: This file consists of one letter and a note from the Middle East Supply Centre in Cairo. The letter is a study of local resources in Persia regarding supplies and transport of coal and coal lumps and is composed of several parts covering the following topics:The supplies of coal lumps that civilians needThe prices of coal and coal lumps in the Persian GulfTests on the quality of the shipsDifficulties in transporting the material from Tehran to the GulfCoal requirements for the GulfResults of the transportsPetroleum cokeA trial shipment for Egypt.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 4; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding invitations from Iran, Ministry of Health to send representation to the 25th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Persian Pasteur Institute in Tehran. The majority of the file contains correspondence regarding the decision to send a Doctor Pirdie and Colonel Findlay as representatives of the UK, and includes discussions of travel arrangements and dress code. The main correspondents are as follows Sir John Helier Le Rougetel (HM Ambassador to Iran); the British Embassy, Cairo and the Government of India, External Affairs Department. The file also includes a telegram addressed to the Foreign Office from Le Routegel relaying information received from the French Embassy and the physician of the British Embassy in Iran, Tehran. The telegram suggests that plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Persian Pasteur Institute have been organised in order to jeopardise an inspection planned by the French Pasteur Institute and to prevent their plans to replace the current Persian head. The United States of America’s planned representation is discussed and concern over potential Russian involvement in the event of the United Kingdom’s failure to send a representative is also expressed.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 7; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains papers relating to communications between London and the Middle East. It mainly consists of copies of correspondence sent to the India Office from the Foreign Office. This largely consists of copies of correspondence between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the British Consulate, Aleppo, regarding the railway service, and improved mail service, between London and Aleppo and other places by the Simplon Orient Express and the Taurus Express.It also includes:copies of correspondence between HM Representative, Tehran, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, concerning the establishment of a through service to Europe via Nisibin and Istanbul, by the International Sleeping Car Company, Cairoa copy of a letter from the General Post Office to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, regarding the mail service to Syria, Iraq and Persia [Iran] by Simplon Orient Express and Taurus Expressand a copy of a letter from HM Acting Consul-General, Beirut, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, regarding the delay in the mail service from England to SyriaThe correspondence includes enclosures in French (folios 12-14 and 32-37).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 38; 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 three Foreign Office documents relating to the official censuses of population conducted in Persia [Iran] in 1933 and 1940. The first document is a memorandum written in 1934 by John Percival Summerscale, the Counsellor (Commercial) at the British Legation, Tehran. He comments on the figures and tables published by the Tehran Municipality in respect of the Tehran population census of 1933. This is followed by two dispatches written in April 1940 and January 1942 by Reader William Bullard, the British Minister at Tehran. He describes the conduct of the population census of Tehran taken on 1 March 1940, reporting on some of the published census results, as well as press commentary in Persian newspapers.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 11; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of a Political Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 30 June 1873 and received by the India Office Secret Department on 12 August 1873, forwarding a copy of a despatch from HM Chargé d’Affaires at Teheran [Tehran] to Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, reporting the existence of an unfriendly feeling on the part of the populace of Teheran towards Europeans and the steps taken to prevent any evil consequences therefrom.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 395, and terminates at f 400a, 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. The sequence contains six foliation anomalies: f 395a, f 396a, f 397a, f 398a, f 399a, and f 400a.