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.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning the flying of flags and the positioning of flag staffs at British consular buildings in Persia [Iran], including at Britain’s naval base on the island of Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], and the British Consulate at Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. The file begins in 1931 with an objection from the Persian Government of the flying of a British flag (the Red Ensign) at buildings in Persian territory, operated by the Imperial and International Communications Company. Subsequent correspondence discusses:The question of whether the Imperial and International Communications Company is entitled, as a private concern, to fly the national flag.The significance to the Persian authorities of flag staffs as claims of territorial sovereignty.Instructions issued to British consular properties in Persia in 1932 to remove flag staffs from their grounds, and to instead fly their flags from the roof of consular buildings.National holidays on which foreign missions and consulates might fly their flags in Persia, with a list of dates on folio 78.Reciprocal measures, imposed by the Government of India, limiting the flying of flags by Persian officials in India.The file’s principal correspondents are: the British Legation at Tehran (Major Percy Charles Russell Dodd, Reginald Hervey Hoare; Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull Hugesson); the Foreign Office (George William Rendel, Lacy Baggallay); the India Office (Charles William Baxter); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe; Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard William Craven Fowle).The file contains a small number of items written in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 289; 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 concerning the importation of stores and equipment for wireless stations in the Persian Gulf (at Bushire, Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], Jask, and Charbar [Chabahar]) operated by Imperial and International Communications Limited (I&ICL), amid the handover of the stations to the Persian Government. The file is a chronological continuation of papers found in Coll 28/26 ‘Relations with H.M.G Importation of Stores for I.E.T.D. Staff’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3423). The correspondence focuses on the payment of customs duty on materials imported by I&ICL, and efforts to negotiate an exemption of the payment of duty with the Persian Government. The file’s principal correspondents are: various representatives of I&ICL; HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran; the Foreign Office.The file includes a printed copy of the 1932 agreement (in English and French) between the British and Persian Governments, for the withdrawal of the Indo-European Telegraph Department from Persia (ff 116-119).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 last folio with 233; 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 and papers relating to incidents in which foreigners in Persia [Iran], specifically British subjects, were subjected to attacks or break-ins, and in some cases badly injured. The file’s principal correspondents are: HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran; the Foreign Office; Government of India. Incidents covered in the file are as follows:In 1933, an attack by three individuals described by British officials as ‘natives’, upon an employee of the Imperial and International Communications Company Limited at Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] (ff 133-147)In 1934, an attack and theft upon a car carrying the British Vice-Consul at Meshed [Mashhad], Collett William Hart, his wife and child, and two Persian servants, while travelling through Khorasan. Subsequent correspondence chiefly deals with attempts to extract compensation to cover medical costs from the Persian Government, for injuries sustained to Mrs Hart (ff 27-132)In 1935, insecurity on the Meshed to Zahidan [Zahedan] road (ff 19-26)In 1937, a break-in by an Iranian soldier into the Zahidan Vice-Consulate. Papers include an account of the break-in, with a plan of the Vice-Consulate and the intruder’s route through its rooms, prepared by J Campbell, HM’s Vice-Consul at Zahidan (ff 3-18).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 148; 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 2-147; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence from the Foreign Office, HM Minister, Tehran, and officials of the Persian Government concerning the import of naval stores into the Royal Indian Marine (RIM) [Royal Indian Navy] depot at Henjam.The Government of Persia refused to allow import of the stores free of duty, and refused to recognise the existence of the naval depot, as they could find no legal basis for its existence. The papers show that British officials were reluctant to press for the stores to be allowed in duty-free in case the Persians renewed their demand made in 1932 for the complete evacuation of the Henjam base.The file contains approximately five folios of diplomatic correspondence in French between officials of the British and Persian Governments.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 33; 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: The file comprises copies of correspondence, papers and maps relating to the British Government’s telegraph station and the Persian Government’s customs house on the island of Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], questions of Persian sovereignty over the island, and the status of the island’s Arab inhabitants. The volume’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Percy Zachariah Cox); the British Ambassador (or Chargé d’Affaires) at Tehran (Sir Arthur Henry Hardinge; Sir Evelyn Mountstuart Grant Duff); the Assistant Resident and British Consul at Bandar-e ʻAbbās (Lieutenant William Henry Irvine Shakespear); the Senior Naval Officer of the Persian Gulf Division, also Commanding Officer of HMS
Fox(Captain John Bridges Eustace).A large portion of the correspondence concerns British officials’ reaction to the Persian Government’s construction of a customs house on Henjam (itself a response to the British Government’s revival of their telegraph office on the island):British officials’ proposals to send Indian troops to keep the peace on the island (ff 221-225);a report of a visit to Henjam by Cox and Shakespear, June 1905, with an accompanying map of the island (ff 189-193, f 200);fresh water supplies at Henjam, and discussion amongst British officials over whether the Persians should be refused access to the island’s water supply;copies of correspondence and a tracing of a sketch, dated 1868, relating to the original agreement between the Persian and British Governments for a telegraph cable and station at Angaum [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], enclosed as part of an attempt to establish the extent of the original telegraph concession on the island, covering the years 1868 to 1880 (ff 133-136);use of flagstaffs on the island, specifically Persian flagstaffs as a statement of sovereignty, and the proposal for a British flagstaff as part of a Lloyd’s Signal Station;negotiations between the British Government and Persian Government (represented by Mushir-ed-Dowleh) on the acknowledgement and extent of a British concession at Henjam;correspondence and reports relating to a survey undertaken by the Royal Navy (HMS
Fox) of the northern tip of Henjam in April 1906, in order to ascertain the extent and boundary of the area required for the British telegraph office concession (ff 2-16).The file also covers the status of Henjam’s Arab inhabitants, including:claims made by Shaikh Ahmed bin Abeid of Henjam to be under the protection of Shaikh Mookhdoom [Shaikh Maktūm bin Hashar Āl Maktūm] of Dubai, and to have been settled on the islands by ancestors of the Sultan of Maskat [Muscat] (f 233, f 138, f 92);British officials’ procrastination in confirming their acceptance of Persian sovereignty over Henjam to the island’s Arab inhabitants, amid concerns of potentially violent confrontations between Henjam’s Persians and Arabs once Britain’s acceptance of Persian sovereignty is confirmed (f 124, ff 110-112);proposals made by Cox to resettle the Arabs of Henjam at Basidu [Bāsa‘īdū], rejected by Government officials (ff 99-103).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 252; 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 volume comprises notes, memoranda, copies of correspondence and other papers, relating to an agreement reached between the British and Persian Governments for the construction of a telegraph cable line between the telegraph station at Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], and a subsequent dispute between the British and Persian Governments over the location of the telegraph office in Bunder Abbas. The volume’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Percy Zachariah Cox); the British Ambassador (or Chargé d’Affaires) at Tehran (Sir Arthur Henry Hardinge; Sir Evelyn Mountstuart Grant Duff); the Assistant Resident and British Consul at Bandar-e ʻAbbās (Lieutenant William Henry Irvine Shakespear).The volume’s papers include:proposals, set out by British officials, for a telegraph cable running between Henjam and Bunder Abbas, chiefly for the benefit of the Indian merchant community at the latter place;papers detailing negotiations between British and Persian officials through 1905 concerning the construction of the telegraph cable from Henjam to Bunder Abbas, and the construction and operation of a telegraph office at Bundar Abbas. Much of the discussion centres on the running and costs of the telegraph office at Bundar Abbas, in response to the Persian Government’s insistence that they run the office, and the British Government’s insistence that only Persians be employed in the office (in order to prevent the appointment of Russian telegraphists). A printed copy of the agreement for the construction of the telegraph line from Henjam to Bunder Abbas, dated 13 May 1905, is included in the volume (f 149);copies of telegrams and other papers dated 1906, documenting the construction of telegraph facilities at Bunder Abbas, including British intentions to run the cable via their consular buildings, Persian objection to the proposals, and the protracted dispute over the location of the telegraph office that ensued;correspondence dated 1909, including a letter from Sir George Head Barclay at the British Embassy in Tehran, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, dated 8 March 1909, confirming that the dispute between the British and Persian authorities over the location of a telegraph office at Bunder Abbas has been resolved (ff 20-21).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 237; 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 130-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to the creation of a coal depot at Henjam Island, alongside the existing telegraph station.The discussion in the volume relates to the handling of relations with the Persian government in connection with the development of the coal depot at Henjam. Discussion centres on how British proposals could be best communicated, including the negotiating strategy involving Henjam and the naval base at Bassidu.Further discussion surrounds plans and estimates; piers and infrastructure, protection, funding and accounting as well as the erection of a flagstaff.Correspondents include the Viceroy; Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Under Secretary of State, India Office; Government of Indian, Marine Department; Director, Royal Indian Marine; and the Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references, contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 215; 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 volume comprises copies of printed correspondence, typewritten correspondence, handwritten notes and other papers. These papers relate to the operation of British and Turkish post offices in Turkish Arabia (Iraq), and British and Persian post offices in Persia and the ports and towns of the wider Persian Gulf. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox); Foreign Office officials (Secretary, Sir Edward Grey; Assistant Under-Secretary, Sir Louis du Pan Mallet); India Office officials (including Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, Thomas William Holderness).The volume covers the following subjects:communications between British and Turkish Government officials over a Turkish Government proposal to abolish foreign (including British) post offices in Ottoman territory, including: British acceptance of the proposal, with caveats, Turkish demands for the closure of foreign post offices on 1 October 1914 (f 5, f 8), arrangements for the closure of British post offices, including those at Basra and Baghdad, discussion between British Government and Government of India officials over proposed future arrangements for the transmission of mail from between India and Turkish Arabia;British Government correspondence relating to the Turkish Government’s plans to introduce its own mail system between Baghdad/Basra and India;the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf’s outline of the history of the British postal system in the Persian Gulf, and his proposals for improvements, which include the opening of new branches at Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], Charbar [Chābahār] and Ahwaz [Ahvāz], a change of hours to the post office at Bushire, and changes to the service at Fao [Al-Fāw]) as a means of countering the Persian Government expansion of postal operations in the Persian Gulf (ff 187-190, ff 178-179), and the Persian Government’s subsequent protestations at the opening of British post office concessions at Henjam and Charbar;attempts by the Persian Government, under the direction of its Belgian Director-General of Post (Camille Molitor), to open post offices within the concessionary areas operated by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) at Abadan, and within Britain’s own post office concession at Henjam.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 229; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.