Abstract: The file relates to possible Russian commercial activities in Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein).The main correspondents are the Political Agent, Bahrain (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior) and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. There is also correspondence with Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; and A W Davis, British Consul, Shiraz.The papers cover: the attitude of the British Government to the possibility of Russian ships landing goods in Bahrain; the desire of the British Government to avoid the risk of Russian commercial activities being used as a means of introducing political propaganda to Bahrain; reports of interest by Russians, including staff of the [Soviet-Iranian] Sharq Company, in Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai; the offer to a Bahrain merchant to be exclusive agent for the Sharq Company in Bahrain; correspondence with the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain concerning the decision of Shaikh Hamed [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah] to prohibit the landing of Russian goods, passengers, and crew at Bahrain, and the need to issue a relevant proclamation bearing an Arab rather than a British signature; and reports of Russian ships in the Persian Gulf.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 15; 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in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.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 undated printed memorandum, marked 'Very Secret', is the second part of a preliminary report by Major Norman Napier Evelyn Bray, Special Intelligence Officer attached to the Political Department, India Office. This part focuses primarily on the role of Bolsehvist policy in regards to the Iraqi revolt. The report is divided into the following sections: 'Soviet Union', 'Germany', 'Union of C.U.P. [Committee of Union and Progress, i.e. İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti] Turkish Nationalists and Arabs and Formation of Asiatic Islamic Federation', 'Bolshevik Negotiations', and 'Appreciation of the Situation', which includes notes on Bolshevist policy with regards to Afghanistan, Persia, Anatolia, Armenia and Mesopotamia. A 'Chart illustrating German-Bolshevic-Asiatic Intrigue' appears on folio 141. The first part of the report is 'Mesopotamia. Preliminary Report on Causes of Unrest', IOR/L/PS/18/B348.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 135, and terminates at folio 143, 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 volume consists of letters, telegrams, and memoranda relating to the Hejaz and Najd. Much of the correspondence is from the British Legation in Jeddah, with regular reports on the situation in that region sent to Sir John Simon, the Foreign Secretary in London. The rest of the correspondence is mostly between the Political Residency in Bushire, the Political Agencies in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Muscat, the Colonial Office, and the Government of India.The main subjects of the volume are:the change in name from 'The Kingdom of the Hejaz-Nejd and its Dependencies' to 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia';the announcement of Ibn Sa'ud's eldest son, Prince Sa'ud, as the heir apparent to the throne;the territorial dispute between Yemen and Saudi Arabia after the latter's absorption of the 'Asir region into its kingdom.A copy of the 23 September 1932 issue of the newspaper
Umm al-Qurais contained in the volume (folios 57-58). It features the Royal Order proclaiming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Other miscellaneous subjects covered in the volume include:relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia;a dispute between Ibn Sa'ud and his agent in Bahrain, al-Quasaibi [‘Abd al-‘Azīz al-Qusaibi], over a debt the former owes the latter;a revolt against Ibn Sa'ud by tribes loyal to ex-King Hussein coming from Sinai;a request for a loan made by Ibn Sa'ud to the British Government;relations between the Soviet Union and Saudi Arabia;relations between the USA and Saudi Arabia, including the visit of a Mr Gallant looking for oil concessions;concessions for the building of the railway between Mecca and Jeddah;the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the League of Nations;the case of two slave girls seeking refuge at the British Legation in Jeddah.Other documents of note contained in the volume are:a copy of a new customs tariff for Saudi Arabia (folios 122-134)a 'Who's Who' of Saudi Arabia, produced by the British Legation in Jeddah and covering all those deemed important to know by the British (folios 183-200);an envelope containing the torn-out pages of an article in the
International Affairsjournal (Vol. 12, No. 4, Jul., 1933, pp 518-534) entitled 'Ibn Sa'ud and the Future of Arabia.'At the back of the volume (folios 245-251) are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues to the inside back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, circled and located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Note that following f 1 are folios 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. The sequence then continues as normal from folio 2. There are two other foliation systems present but both are inconsistent and neither are circled.
Abstract: The volume contains letters, telegrams, and memoranda relating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Most of the correspondence is between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Foreign Office in London, the Political Residencies in Bushire and Aden, the Political Agencies in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat, the High Commissioner in Trans-Jordan, the British Embassy in Baghdad, the Colonial Office in London, the India Office in London, the Government of India, and Ibn Sa'ud.The volume covers a wide range of subjects, including:the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, including issues of the translation of the Treaty of Taif;the planning, development, and financing of roads;the differing characters of two of Ibn Sa'ud's sons, Amirs Sa'ud and Faisal;the appointment of new ministers in the Saudi Arabian government;the slave trade in the region;an Egyptian commercial and financial mission to the country led by Talaat Pasha Harb;a general amnesty for all 'political offenders' given by Ibn Sa'ud;new regulations on foreign ownership of property;Ibn Sa'ud's effort to improve the Saudi Arabian standing army;the French upgrade of their Consulate in Jeddah to a Legation;the general financial situation in Saudi Arabia;the proposal to restore the Hejaz Railway, including the lead up to a conference on the matter in Haifa in October 1935;an attempt on Ibn Sa'ud's life in Mecca;Saudi-Soviet relations;the activities of the Saudi Arabia Mining Syndicate;Amir Sa'ud's visit to Europe;the death of 'Abdullah ibn Jiluwi, Amir of Hasa;the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the League of Nations;new Saudi regulations on the importation, sale, and possession of firearms;officer training for Saudis and Yemenis in Iraq;the introduction of a special import tax at Jeddah to fund local schools;Anglo-Italian relations;the proposal to renew the Treaty of Jeddah of 1927;unrest in Hasa due to the imposition of a 'jihad tax' on those who did not take part in recent fighting on behalf of the Kingdom.Notable in the volume is an interview with Fuad Bey Hamza, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, extracted from the newspaper
Ayyam(folio 34).At the back of the volume (folios 207-213v) are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: The sequence begins on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, circled, and located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. There are the following irregularities: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D; 88, and 88A; 165 and 165A. There is a second foliation system that is uncircled and inconsistent.
Abstract: This file contains papers relating to the domestic political situation in Iran during 1949, and its international repercussions. In particular the papers discuss Perso-Soviet relations and Anglo-American fears of Soviet involvement with the Tudeh party in Iran. The papers also discuss various other matters, including the seven year economic development plan proposed by the Persian government, United Nations security council negotiations, embassy closures, and international radio propaganda from the Soviet Union. The papers are almost all diplomatic cables and dispatches forwarded between British legations in Tehran, Washington, and the Foreign Office in London.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 130; 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 papers that discuss Anglo-American perspectives on domestic Iranian politics during 1948, in the run-up to the Iranian Constituent Assembly election of 1949. The majority of the papers are secret diplomatic dispatches between various British diplomats based in Washington, London, and Tehran. The papers variously discuss the domestic situation in Iran, possible constitutional changes, elections, and their international repercussions. Notable are discussions of possible soviet involvement, and the Tudeh Party's relationship with the Soviet Union.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 177; 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 papers in this file relate to ‘Security Organisation in Persia [Iran]’.The papers include: The deputation of an officer from the Combined Intelligence Centre Iraq (CICI) to Tehran with cover as Assistant Military Attaché, charged with collating the records of Persians and other nationals suspected of working in Axis interests, with a view to arranging with the Persian Government for their incarceration, 14 October-7 November 1941; a proposal that the CICI include Persia in its sphere of operations, 13 October-7 November 1941; the reservations of Ambassador Reader Bullard about the deputation of a CICI officer, and proposed deputation of one from India to deal with Indian suspects in Persia, 18 October-3 November 1941; the views of the Commander-in-Chief India and Commander-in-Chief Middle East on the establishment of a security and intelligence organisation in Persia under the CICI, involving a security officer at Tehran, and assistant liaison officers at Khurramabad and Sanandaj, 7-26 November 1941; the proposals of the Commander-in-Chief India on censorship in Iraq and Persia, 16 November 1941; the proposed establishment of a commission to examine all suspects, 22-29 December 1941; the preference for a policy based on collaboration rather than repression, 29 December 1941-9 January 1942; the deportation of Axis agents to the British zone in southern Persia, 22 April-24 August 1942; the agreement of the Iraqi Government to promptly alert HM representatives or consular officers in Persia and Turkey on receiving any transit visa applications, 25 June 1942; the demand of Persian Prime Minister Ahmad Qavam for any evidence against the suspects, 9 August 1942; the proposals of the Minister of State Cairo for the arrest and interrogation of suspects, 11 August 1942; and the negotiations of Bullard with prime ministers Qavam and Ali Suhayli, 29 August 1942-30 October 1943.The file includes two dividers, which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are 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 160, 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 the deportation of three Polish men (Oligierd Stolyho, Adam Backer and Josef Bekerman), one Lithuanian man (Bronistew Bogussewier), one Ukrainian man (Iwan Basileffsk) and one Russian woman (Tatiana Chinnova) from the Persian Border to British Indian territory at the beginning of the Second World War.The main correspondence is between:• the Government of India, External Affairs Department to Tehran• the Secretary of State for India• the Senior Assistant Director, Intelligence, Government of India, Quetta• the Director, Intelligence Bureau (Home Department), Government of India, Simla• the Secretary to the Agent to the Governor-General in Baluchistan, Ziarat• the Polish Consulate General in India• the Additional Deputy Secretary to the Government of India in the External Affairs DepartmentDetailed are the British Indian Government’s concerns regarding national security leading to the arrest and detention of the group. Attributed to this is a belief that Bekerman is German and Jewish, and conflicting reports from Vernon Smith, an American woman who came in contact with the refugees. Also detailed is the Polish Consulate General in India’s wish to facilitate their release, and his assessment of their legitimacy once they had arrived in Bombay, India.Included are statements from the five men; preliminary (folios 3 to 7) and revised (folios 9 to 15) following alleged inconsistencies in the former, and a statement from Chinnova (folios 19 to 21). These contain personal information and include the motivations and circumstances which led to their arrival at the Persian border, and a description of items in their possession.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 54; 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 3-49; these numbers are also written in pencil, and are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains papers relating to the proposed establishment of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union (USSR) and Iraq.The papers mainly consist of copies of telegrams between the Foreign Office and the following:Sir Basil Newton and Sir Kinahan Cornwallis, HM Ambassador to Iraq (successively).Sir (Richard) Stafford Cripps, HM Ambassador to the USSR.Sir Reader (William) Bullard, HM Minister to Iran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 28; 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 2-27; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding the trading activities of the U.S.S.R. in the Persian Gulf, primarily in Iraq, Persia, Kuwait and Bahrain.These officials are from the Department of Overseas Trade; the Political Residency in Bushire; the British Consulates in Bandar Abbas, Shiraz, Baghdad and Basra; the Political Agencies in Kuwait and Bahrain; the British Legation in Tehran.The correspondence discusses exact details concerning imports from the USSR and as such includes relevant tables and statistical information but also contains broader political discussions around the political context of these activities and how they may impact on Britain's interests in the region.Alongside correspondence, the file also contains a number of relevant newspaper clippings from British and Persian publications including a number from
Le Messager de Teheranthat are in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 283; 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 papers relating to a constitutional crisis in Iran during 1947. The papers are mostly secret diplomatic reports on the fluid political situation in Tehran. The papers are mainly correspondence between the British ambassador to Tehran and the Foreign Office in London, but also include a few newspaper clippings of the Iranian press at the time.The crisis in question was premeditated by the refusal of the Soviet Union to relinquish occupied Iranian territory in Azerbaijan following the Second World War. This lead to a series of domestic conflicts in Iran that involved the Tudeh party, Prime Minister Ahmad Qavam, the Shah of Persia, and the British forces that had occupied southern Iran. The papers include reports on various meetings with the Shah by the British Ambassador in Tehran, as well as more detailed reports on various political factions and parties within Iran, and their respective external allies. Several reports mention the implications for, and involvement of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the crisis, and the future Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossaddegh. The file also includes a summary of the Persian Government's seven year development plan.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 350; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.