Abstract: This file consists of a note, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary, Political Department, India Office. It concerns a recent offer of military assistance, which was reportedly made to the British Vice-Consul at Ahwaz [Edward William Charles Noel, British Vice-Consul, Ahvāz, Iran] by the Bakhtiari [Baḵtīārī] Ilkhani, Sardar Zafar. The Ilkhani is reported to have offered to place at the disposal of the British '5000 good cavalry for service against the Kashgais [Qashqais] or elsewhere'.The file goes on to state a series of concrete proposals, formulated by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson [Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia], following his discussions with the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz. Wilson reportedly proposes that the Ilkhani should be invited to maintain a force of 1500 men under his own command, with the objectives being to stabilise the situation in Ispahan and maintain the authority of the Ilkhani in Bakhtiari territories.Also discussed are the views of Sir Charles Murray Marling [British Minister, Tehran] (who fears that the proposal will bring about a split in the Bakhtiari tribe) and of Sir Herbert Cox [Secretary, Military Department, India Office] (who strongly supports the proposals).Shuckburgh concludes that the Political Department is strongly inclined to the opinion that Wilson's proposals should be approved by His Majesty's Government, since Sardar Zafar's offer affords the British a favourable opportunity of committing the Bakhtiari tribe to their cause.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 153, and terminates at f 154, 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 A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, marked 'Secret' is a statement by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, Political Secretary, India Office, dated 30 August 1916, concerning the British campaign against Turkey in Mesopotamia [Iraq] in the context of the First World War, in particular British intentions to advance on Baghdad. The memorandum is divided into three sections titled as follows: 'The Political Reasons for the Expedition', 'The Importance of Bagdad [Baghdad]', and 'The Advance on Baghdad'. References are made in the text to correspondence between Sir Charles Murray Marling, British Minister at Tehran, and the Foreign Office in 1915.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. Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum written by William Lee-Warner, Secretary to the Political and Secret Department of the India Office, it concerns the arms trade in the Persian Gulf from 1881-98.The following topics are covered:Persian prohibition of the trade in arms and ammunition with Persian ports;the enforcement of the law;the seizure of arms;British interests in coming to agreement with the Persian Government and assisting in enforcing Persian regulations;methods of trade – secrecy;policy for the future.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 54, and terminates at f 55, 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: A printed memorandum written by John William Kaye, Political Secretary to the India Office, 1 July 1868.The memorandum discusses the complexities of relations between Muscat and Zanzibar, in the first instance, and Muscat and Persia, in the second instance, especially in light of the subsidy Zanzibar is obligated to pay annually to Muscat and the yearly payment Muscat pays Persia for the lease of the port of Bandar Abbas. The author suggests what Britain's course of action should be in both cases. He ends with a criticism of the way the region is administered, calling for the frequent overlap of responsibility between the Foreign Office and the Government of India to be dealt with.Physical description: Foliation: ff 18-20.Pagination: the document has an original, printed pagination system from 1 to 6.
Abstract: This is a printed note prepared by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Political Department of the India Office, dated 6 February 1918, concerning trade in Mesopotamia vis-à-vis consolidating Britain's commercial interests in light of Robert Erskine Holland and John Henry Wilson's 1917 report,
The Prospects of British Trade in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf. This note pays special attention to navigation and transportation, banking, irrigation, communication, education, and the establishment of a Commercial Bureau and Department of Agriculture.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 36 and terminates at folio 39, 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 folio 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum is a note, dated 10 January 1918, prepared by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Political Department of the India Office, for a meeting of the Middle East Committee on 12 January 1918, concerning British policy towards Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)], the Emir of Nejd [Amir of Najd]. The note includes an overview of Ibn Saud's importance and status in the Arabian Peninsula vis-à-vis British policy and other Arabian leaders, including King Husain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] of the Hedjaz [al-Ḥijāz,] and Bin Rashid [Ibn Rashīd]; Harry St John Bridger Philby's mission to Ibn Saud at Riadh [Riyadh]; arms, ammunition and monetary allowances given to Ibn Saud; and the opinion of Sir Reginald Wingate against arming Ibn Saud.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 41, and terminates at folio 43, 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 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, authored by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, dated 30 December 1918, concerns a meeting at the India Office, London, between Sir Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State, and Shaikh Feisal [Fayṣal bin Ḥusayn al-Hāshimī], accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence acting as interpreter, on 27 December 1918. The meeting was also attended by Sir Thomas Holderness and Sir James Dunlop-Smith, as well as Lord Islington, Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, and Sir Hamilton Grant. Subjects of discussion included relations with Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)], Emir of Nejd [Najd] and the nature of the Wahabi [Wahhabi] movement; Syria and the circumstances of the Arab Revolt of 1916; and Palestine and the Zionist movement.There is a pencil note in the top right hand corner of folio 1 that reads: 'Sir A. Grant. Do you think this is a fair representation of what Feisal said?' signed J E S and dated 30 December. This is followed by a note in the top center of the folio that reads: 'Yes. Excellent, I think', signed A H G and dated 31 December.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 14 and terminates at folio 17, 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 document outlines Germany's intentions to conduct economic dealings in Turkey, in particular through the importing and exporting of goods. The writer, Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, explores the opinions of the press regarding the correct way to implement such procedures in Turkey, and discusses the likely shift in international relations and the balance of power (particularly between Britain, Russia and Germany) should Germany succeed in its economic ambitions. Hirtzel also discusses the new tariff which has just been introduced to Turkey.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 15, and terminates at f 17, 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 second memorandum by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel uses press reports to present a general view of the current situation in Turkey with regard to German involvement in the country. Various topics are discussed including the new currency, Turkish nationalism, the Deutsche-Türkisch Vereinigung [German-Turkish Association] annual conference and language laws.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 18, and terminates at f 21, 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 note written by Owen Tudor Burne, Secretary, Political and Secret Department, India Office, in which the author suggests ways to improve relations between the Shah of Persia and the British Government in order to limit the influence of the Russian Government in Persia. The author concludes that Britain's best hopes in this regard lie in the construction of a railway in southern Persia and in establishing good relations with the Shah's eldest son.A further note by Burne, and a copy of a letter from the India Office to the Foreign Office document an earlier, unsuccessful, attempt to persuade Germany to join in attempts to counter Russian influence in Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 202 and terminates at the last folio with 203, 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 between ff 202-203; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file consists of a note which concerns Sir Percy Sykes's position as commander of the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles]. The note, written by the Secretary to the Political Department, India Office [Sir Arthur Hirtzel], is written in response to a telegram, dated 28 February 1917 and attributed to the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger].The note responds to points made in the telegram, particularly those which discuss Sykes's judgement as a commander and the circumstances in which Kazerun and Dashtarjin [Dashtestan] were captured by rebel forces in December 1917.The note also refers to the Viceroy's estimations for the South Persian Rifles' budget for 1917-18; it concludes that a great deal too much money is being spent, and that Sykes's accounts ought to be audited.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 75, and terminates at f 76, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item contains extracts from a letter, telegrams and a note, covering the period November 1914 to December 1916, and all relating to the permanent British Occupation of Basra:Extract from a letter from Sir Percy Zachariah Cox to Persian Gulf and other Chiefs, including the Sheikh of Mohamerrah [Khorramshahr] and the Amir of Nejd [Najd], November 1914 - informing the Chiefs that Britain would never allow Basra to be subject to Turkish Authority again;Extract from Viceroy's Telegram, dated 7 December 1914 - regarding a request from Sir Percy Cox to make a public announcement of the permanent occupation of Basra by the British;Telegram to Viceroy, from Secretary of State (for India), dated 9 December 1914 - advising against a public announcement regarding the permanent occupation of Basra as it would be a breach of the undertaking agreed with Britain's allies;Telegram to Viceroy, from Secretary of State (for India), dated 19 December 1914 - requesting that Cox be permitted to intimate in conversation that Basra would not be returned to the Turks, in order to provide reassurance;Telegram to Viceroy, from Secretary of State (for India), dated 25 December 1914 - informing that there would be no objection to Cox intimating in conversation with those already under British control circumstances regarding future protection against the Turks;Summary, written by Sir Arthur Hirtzel and dated 14 December 1916, of a statement made by His Excellency Lord Hardinge, during a visit to Mesopotamia, in response to a deputation from the British community of Basra, 3 February 1915 - regarding the British not being able to make statements on the future owing to their commitments to allies, but that there was no intention of them withdrawing from Basra.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 98 and terminates at folio 101, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right hand corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.