Abstract: This printed memorandum, by Joseph Austen Chamberlain, contains a report of a lecture 'Germany and the Middle East', by Dr Paul Rohrbach given at the Hamberg Volksheim which was printed in
Hamburger Fremdenblatt, 3 December 1915.The report discusses Rohrbach's opinions on the current situation in Europe and how Germany now had an advantage following the opening up of routes to the Middle East and the Suez Canal through the provision of railways and money to Turkey. The lecture also focused on Germany's need for raw materials, how access to the Middle East can provide them with oil, minerals, cotton and wheat, and the potential future economic benefits posed by the war-time alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey. The lecture concludes with the suggestion that as Germany cannot compete with Britain in its Naval strength it could use the Suez Canal as a point of pressure to try to secure access to the sea and its own position in the heart of Europe.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation commences and concludes on folio 6, 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. An additional former foliation sequence is also present in the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum consists of short minute by Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes (Marquess of Crewe and Secretary of State for India), which argues against the construction of a Trans-Persian Railway linking Europe and India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at f 27, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file consists of the Viceroy's Minute by Alfred Comyn Lyall, member of the Council of Secretary of State for India, pertaining to a letter from the Government of India dated 21 September 1899 (IOR/L/PS/7/116: 927/99) regarding British policy in Persia.It comments on the Government of India's views on: the lack of a clearly defined line of policy, the strategic and commercial interests of Great Britain and India in Persia, measures for strengthening the British position, and relations with Russia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 109, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file begins with draft instructions, under the heading 'Anglo-Russian Relations', apparently written by John Morley, Secretary of State for India, for Sir Arthur Nicolson, British Ambassador at St Petersburg, in advance of negotiations over an Anglo-Russian agreement.The instructions are divided into two sections, 'Persia' and 'Afghanistan', and they concern Britain's and Russia's respective interests in Persia and Afghanistan. The instructions outline important points on which Nicolson is expected to base any future agreement with Russia (of which a fundamental requirement is Russia's recognition both of the independence and integrity of Persia, and of the territorial integrity of Afghanistan). The remaining instructions relate to issues of trade in Persia and Afghanistan.The draft instructions are followed by an extract from a private letter from Lord Minto [Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynynmound], Viceroy and Governor-General of India, to John Morley, dated 12 June 1906.In the letter, Lord Minto responds to Morley's draft instructions for Sir Arthur Nicolson. Minto gives his opinions on the wording and possible implications of each paragraph of the draft instructions. Most of Minto's letter details his opposition to the idea that Great Britain and Russia should agree not to extend their railways in the direction of the frontiers of Afghanistan for the next ten years, for which Minto offers a number of political and military considerations.Minto's letter is followed by a letter from Lord Kitchener [Horatio Herbert Kitchener] to Lord Minto, dated 23 May 1906, in which Kitchener responds to Minto's letter of 19 May 1906, which requested Kitchener's opinion on the question of the Frontier railways. In his letter, Kitchener argues that the possibility of extending the British railway system is not only of great strategic importance for the defence of British India, but is also important for maintaining friendly relations with the Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan [Habibullah Khan].Kitchener's letter is followed by two loose folios which repeat word for word the aforementioned draft instructions on Afghanistan and Persia (folios 8 and 9 respectively). Both sets of instructions have the heading 'Secret'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio, and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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 reproduces telegrams written between the Secretary of State for India, the Viceroy of India, the First Minister at Teheran (Sir Arthur Hardinge), and the Foreign Secretary (Marquess of Lansdowne), in which the authors assess the merits and logistics of a proposed loan to the Persian Government.The chief considerations concern the British and Indian Governments' desire to neutralize the Russian monopoly on loans to Persia, and to prevent Russia from gaining influence in southern Persia. Proposals include using revenues from customs houses in southern Persia as security against the loan, eliciting political agreement not to allow foreign road or railway construction projects in southern Persia, and a plan for the Indian Government to purchase a large stake in the Imperial Bank of Persia in order to facilitate similar loans in the future.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 150, and terminates at f 160, 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.
Abstract: The file opens with a memorandum by Edwin Samuel Montagu (Secretary of State for India) dated 4 November 1920 regarding the current situation of Assyrian and Armenian refugees in Mesopotamia, paying particular attention to the difficulties that they have faced in seeking repatriation. This memorandum seeks to provide an update to a previous memorandum of the same title which was issued by Montagu on 5 July 1920 (IOR/L/PS/18/B345). The memorandum is followed by an appendix in the form of a letter from the India Office to the Foreign Office on 2 November 1920 and its enclosure, 'note on the Christian communities in and around Mesopotamia'. The letter details the French and British spheres of influence in Mesopotamia and explains how the refugee crisis should be handled. The note details the different types of Christian groups in the area, and explains the initial reasons for the emigration of these communities from Urmia. The final folio is a copy of Montagu's initial memorandum dated 5 July 1920.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 151, and terminates at f 153, 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum written by Edwin Samuel Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, describing the situation of Assyrian and Armenian refugees in Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 117, and terminates at f 117, 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This is a secret printed memorandum, dated 1 June 1920, with an introductory note, dated 2 June 1920, by the Edwin Samuel Montagu (initialled E S M), Secretary of State for India. It concerns the question of future British control in Mesopotamia [Iraq] and Middle East. The memorandum discusses the current administrative arrangements in the region following the First World War, the idea of establishing a 'Middle East Office', and considers which department of state (India Office, Foreign Office or Colonial Office) is best qualified to undertake the task of administering Britain's Middle Eastern affairs.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 108, and terminates at folio 109, 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains the observations of Edwin Samuel Montagu (Secretary of State for India) on a previous memorandum by Lord Curzon on the future of Constantinople. It covers the question of Indian Mohammedan opinion, and the lack of Muslim representation of India in the Councils of the Empire; and argues against turning the Turks out of Constantinople as it would cause resentment in India and be viewed as an anti-Muslim action.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) for this description commences and terminates at f 158, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel for ff 158; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.