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 correspondence and telegrams from the Government of India, External Department, the Foreign Office, the Secretary of State for India, the British Minister of State in Cairo, and the British Embassy in Washington, regarding a tour conducted by General Hurley (USA Minister to New Zealand) in support of the development of a war strategy for the Pacific. Hurley visited London and subsequently toured Egypt, Syria, Persia, Iraq, and Russia, before travelling to Australia and New Zealand.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 14; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Imprint:London, Published, by A. Arrowsmith No. 10 Soho Square – Hydrographer to His Majesty.Distinctive Features:Title continues: ‘Inscribed to Brigadier General Sir John Malcolm Knight of the Royal Persian Order of the Lion and Sun’.Produced to accompany ‘Geographical Memoir of the Persian Empire’ by John Macdonald Kinneir first published in 1813.Relief shown by hachures.Shows routes between the major towns.Provinces outlined in colour.Physical description: Dimensions:940 x 1260 mm
Abstract: Imprint:Calcutta, Lithographed by Order of the Supreme Government of India at the Surveyor General’s Office.Distinctive Features:Title continues: ‘Inscribed to Brigadier General Sir John Malcolm Knight of the Royal Persian Order of the Lion and Sun’.Below title Aaron Arrowsmith’s imprint with date 1st January 1813.Produced to accompany ‘Geographical Memoir of the Persian Empire’ by John Macdonald Kinneir first published in 1813.Relief shown by hachures.Shows routes between the major towns.Provinces outlined in colour.Inscriptions:Signed by the Deputy Surveyor General and A. Scott Waugh Lieutt. Colonel Engrs. Surveyor General of India.Physical description: Dimensions:920 x 1260 mm, on sheet 957 x 1350 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Relief shown by shading.In the lower left-hand corner descriptive note dated ‘20th Febry 1847’ on sources used and explanation to colouring and symbols.Includes a view showing ruins of Arch of Chosrau ‘Ták Kesra’ with an annotation: ‘Front Elevation of the remains of the Palace of Cyrus at Ctesiphon with the Ziaret of Selman Pák in the distance’ and ‘Length of the edifice | 302 feet – height of the Arch 106 feet – Span 83 feet – depth 131 feet’.Inscriptions:On recto in the bottom left-hand corner in red ink:‘No 57690 Enclosure to BombayPol L [?] 27 March No.371848’And below in black ink:‘Copied in the Chief Engineers Office Bombay 1st January 1849’.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink with wash on paperDimensions:1044 x 1505 mm, on sheet 1083 x 1505 mm
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Relief shown by shading.Inscriptions:On recto in the bottom left-hand corner signed: ‘(a true copy) Robt. Gorelon Lt. Engineer’.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink with wash on paperDimensions:461 x 940 mm, on sheet 513 x 990 mm
Abstract: Imprint:London, Lithographed by J.&C. Walker.Distinctive Features:Produced about 1827 when John and Charles Walker’s partnership started.Main routes shown in red.Physical description: Dimensions:613 x 943 mm, on sheet 661 x 1004 mm
Abstract: This printed report by the General Staff, War Office, concerns Great Britain's railway policy in relation to general military policy in the Middle East, covering projects in Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Syria and Palestine. There are also details concerning the question of track gauge and general conclusions. There are three appendices which include printed related correspondence and a map of 'The Middle East, Showing Railways Gauges, 1918' which is not present in this volume.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence for this file commences at folio 21, and terminates at folio 25, 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 contains monthly Royal Air Force (RAF) intelligence summaries from Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi, Iraq, for the period between January and June 1935.Each report is divided into sections that relate to a particular country of the region, as follows: Iraq, Turkey, Persia (later, Iran), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (referred to as Sa'udia), Syria, or Other Arab States (Bahrain, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi). Not all countries feature in every report.These country sections are then divided by subject, as follows: Internal or Home Politics, Political - Foreign, Industries and Resources, Air Forces, Internal Security, Military Forces, Air Forces, Naval Forces, Physical Geography and Communications, Oil, and Population and Tribes. Not all subjects feature in every report.Within each subject part there are sometimes further divisions under a more specific subject heading. For example 'Shi'a Situation' (regularly a part of the Home Politics sub-section of the Iraq section), or 'King Ibn Sa'ud's Increased Prestige' (folio 77, Political - Internal, Kuwait, April 1935 report).At the end of each report, as an appendix, there is a table of meteorological data with statistics on temperature, humidity, precipitation, and other phenomena. Note that where January's meteorological table should be (folio 20) there is that for the month of April. There is no table for January elsewhere.The March report contains a further appendix (52-54) entitled 'Pact of the People - demands of the Euphrates leaders submitted to Hijjat al Islam Shaikh Muhammed Hussain al Kashif al Ghata for Presentation to the Authorities concerned', being a list of demands drawn up by Shi'a leaders at the Najaf Conference, to be presented to the Sunni-majority Government.At the beginning of each report is a title page and a list indicating which country sections are included within that report. Note that, although listed, Transjordan and Palestine are not included in any report within the file.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover and terminates at the 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.
Abstract: The file consists of monthly reports of the British Supply Mission (Middle East) from June 1946 to January 1947. Each report, marked secret, opens with an introductory statement consisting of notes on the global food supply situation, including political developments. The reports are then divided into two sections, with information on the food supply, on the one hand, and that of materials on the other. Each section is broken down into parts relating to a particular food or material type. Many reports also include notes on recent or upcoming changes to the allocation and supply schedules.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 76; 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: The file is comprised of a paper produced by the Political Intelligence Centre (Middle East Forces): 'Paper No. 80: Middle East Oil' dated 28 March 1946.The paper (ff 4-17) includes a précis and then lists the oil-producing countries of the Middle East with their oil concessions and assessment of their known oil reserves and future potential (Persia; Iraq; Egypt; Saudi Arabia; Kuwait; Qatar). Further analysis concerns the importance and potential of Middle East oil placed in a world context. The paper also includes a table 'World Oil Production and Reserves, 1944' listed by region.A further section list exploratory work being undertaken in non-producing areas (Syria and Lebanon; Palestine; Muscat, Oman and Dhofar; Trucial Coast; Turkey; Transjordan; Cyprus; Yemen; Aden Protectorate). The report also includes a map 'Middle East Oil - Secret' (folio 12) and a distribution list.Also included in the file is a copy of an article 'Big Oil Boom in Saudi Arabia' from the
New York Timesand
Statesman Special Service, 4 December 1946.The principal correspondents are: the Head of the Political Intelligence Centre, Middle East Forces, Cairo (Colonel J G Clarke); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Political Agent, Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 19; 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 papers relating to the organisation of rescue operations coordinated by the British naval, air force, and army stations, primarily in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. The papers list various military stations and bases alongside the area coordinates for which respective military stations are responsible.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 100; 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 2-98; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.