Abstract: Printed Confidential memorandum, headed 'Printed for the use of the Foreign Office', and signed by Alfred S Green, Foreign Office.The memorandum charts the history of the issue of the appointment of British officers to organise the Persian Army from the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807 to the year 1870, and cites relevant Foreign Office and India Office correspondence (with references recorded as marginal notes). The memorandum states that there had been no correspondence between the two departments since 1870. It concludes by stating that the British Government had recognised the expediency of granting the Shah of Persia's request (for the appointment of officers); that a difficulty arose from the question of whether the cost of paying the officers should be borne by the India Office, the Foreign Office, or the Shah's own Government; and that questions had arisen concerning the effect of such a measure on the political relations between Persia and Russia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation for this description commences at f 118 and terminates at f 123, 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 ff 5-137; 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 discusses the ongoing negotiations in Constantinople between the Ottoman, British and Russian Governments through 1912 and 1913 regarding the Turco-Persian Frontier. Also discussed is the decision in July 1913 to establish a delimitation commission to which Albert Charles Wratislaw and Arnold Talbot Wilson are appointed as representatives of the British Government.Also discussed in the volume is the region of Kermanshah and in particular Qasr-i-Shirin [Qaşr-e Shīrīn], along with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's concerns over the rights accorded to them in their 1901 concession should some of that territory be ceded to Turkey.Further discussion relates to the movements of Russian and Turkish troops near the frontier and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from certain places along the frontier.This volume is part two of two. 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 first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 334; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, 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, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Intelligence report by Major Norman Napier Evelyn Bray, Political Intelligence Officer attached to the India Office, on Soviet activities and influence in the Middle East and the implications for British interests in the region.The document was prepared as a departmental minute. It discusses several matters, including: the Soviet alliance with Turkish and Arab nationalists across the region, but with a particular reference to Mesopotamia; Italian support (in money and arms) of Turkish nationalists; the need for the British and the French to work together closely to protect their interests; the military strength of all parties.The report contains two appendices, as follows:I - Suggested measures for dealing with the Bolshevist Menace in Mesopotamia and Persia;II - A. Conditions proposed by the Bolsheviks for acceptance of Turkish Nationalists; B. Terms of agreement concluded by Bolsheviks with Mustafa Kemal Pasha.There are extensive notes in the left hand margin throughout the report with details on sources and other comments.Physical description: Foliation: the 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. A second foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-15; this sequence is written in ink, and is located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the islands of Bahrain, Tanb (also written as Tamb) [Greater and Lesser Tumb] and Abu Musa in the context of the Persian claim to these islands. The main correspondents are Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf; Political Resident Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); H.M. Minister, Tehran (Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen); Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office (John Charles Walton); Sheikh Sultan bin Salim, ruler of Ras al Khaimah Topics of letters include:The attitude of Shaikh Sultan bin Salim, the ruler of Ras al Khaimah.The British approach to a possible Persian claim over Bahrain at the Council of League of Nations.Interception of letters from the Persian Governement to the local shaikh at Tanb.Account of a conversation between a French Admiral (Contre-Amiral Rivet) and the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah.A firman contained in a envelope (folio 179a).The removal and replacement of the Ras al Khaimah flag on Tanb.Physical description: Foliation. The foliation sequences runs from the front cover to last folio, and consists of small circled numbers, located in the top right corner of the recto of each folio.
Abstract: This file is a collection of correspondence between British officials in London, Delhi, Bushire, Bahrain, Sharjah and Teheran over the rights to mine red oxide on Abu Musa, an island in the Gulf claimed by Sharjah. The main correspondents are: India Office, Whitehall (John Gilbert Laithwaite); Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar of Sharjah; Political Resident Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); Political Agent, Bahrain (Gordon Loch); Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf; Hajji Yusuf Kanoo (trader in Bahrain); Commander R.C. Bayldon; the Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs.The correspondence relates to a contract for the mining of red oxide on Abu Musa. British officials helped facilitate the completion of the contract although the Iranians claimed the island as their territory and raised objections to the issuance of the contract. The final contract specified that Commander Bayldon will pay a minimum of 2000 Rupees a year in royalties to the Shaikh of Sharjah. The British warned Commander R.C. Bayldon that as it becomes known to the Iranians that he has taken rights to mining on Abu Musa that he will be barred from the higher quality Hormuz ore mines. The file includes a letter from the Political Resident Persian Gulf with a list of islands in the Persian Gulf 'known or presumed to contain Ferric Oxide'. The file is mostly in English with some letters in Arabic.Physical description: Foliation: Foliation begins on the first folio of typescript and runs through from number 1 to number 139. Folio number 139 has been paginated in error so that it has the number 139 on its recto and 140 on its verso. The next folio has the number 141, meaning that folio 140 does not exist in this volume. The foliation sequence resumes at number 141 and continues through to number 208, which is the inside of the back cover of the volume. It should be noted that a letter sequence has been introduced to resolve an anomaly in the foliation sequence: previously, the number 43 was used to denote three separate folios; this sequence now reads as 43, 43A, and 43B. The foliation sequence is written in pencil in the top right corner of each folio.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between His Majesty's Minister at Teheran, the Political Resident at Bushire and Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives in regard to the cancellation, on 27 Nov 1932, of the 1901 D'Arcy Concession, because APOC was not acting in the interest of Persia in reducing the oil production in 1932. The British Government considered escalating the breach of the concession to the International Court of Justice considering it a dispute between the Persian Government and the British Government. The volume contains: APOC's report on the 'Situation in Persia' (folios 87-92) and letter from the Deputy Chairman of APOC to the Company's Stakeholders to inform them (folios 93-107). The volume also includes copies of articles from
The Timesand copies of printed documents related to the dispute, including the agreement with D'Arcy (folios 219-231).Physical description: The foliation is in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins on the title page, on number 1, then 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H; 2-27; 28-40 are skipped or omitted; 41-124; 125-135 are skipped or omitted; 136-146; 147-155 are skipped or omitted; 156-185; 186 and 187 are skipped or omitted; 188-201; 202 and 202A and then it carries on until 245, which is the last number given on the last folio of the volume. Between 93 and 107 the folios are paginated.
Abstract: The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 1 and 30 November 1919; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan.The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India; and Viceroy of India (V).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 326 and terminates at f 333, 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 file contains summaries of reports, letters and memoranda concerning Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia and Afghanistan. The file is divided into a series of sections, each of which contains summaries of reports, letters and memoranda. Prominent correspondents include the Chief of the General Staff (officially known as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during this period but referred to here as 'CGS'), the Directorate of Military Intelligence ('DMI'), the Secretary of State for India ('S'), the Foreign Secretary (abbreviated simply as 'FS'; given the department in which this file was produced it is most likely that 'FS' refers to the Foreign Secretary of the Government of India), and the Viceroy and Governor-General of India ('V').The contents are listed as follows (the date ranges of each section are provided in brackets):I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul (12 May-3 November 1919);II. Afghan Missions to Bokhura [Bukhara] and Khiva (8 June-3 November 1919);III. Intrigues at and with Tashkend (3 May-26 October 1919);IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk (3 June-14 October 1919);V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan (3 June-14 October 1919);VI. Afghan Missions to Moscow (28 May-2 November 1919);VII. Movements in Ferghana (2 May-20 October 1919);VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Samarkand, and Khiva (12 June-29 October 1919);IX. Bolshevik-Afghan trade (27 July-12 October 1919);X. Barkatullah (18 July-13 October 1919);XI. Afghan aggression into Russian territory (2-31 October 1919);XII. Kasim Beg (24 July-19 October 1919);XIII. Pan-Islamism (30 May-30 October 1919);XIV. Bolshevik designs on Persia (24 July-31 October 1919);XV. Bolshevik Promises of Assistance to Afghans (16 June-2 October 1919);XVI. Miscellaneous (21 July-31 October 1919);XVII. Government of India's appreciations of position, etc. (23 June-10 September 1919).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: The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 26 November 1919 and 5 January 1920; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. These summaries are divided into a series of sections which are as follows:I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul;II. Afghan Relations with Bokhara and Khiva;III. Intrigues at Tashkend;IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk;V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan;VI. Afghan Mission to Moscow;VII. Movements in Ferghana and Semirechia;VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Khiva and Samarkand;IX. Afghan-Bolshevik Commercial Relations;X. Barkatullah;XI. Afghan Aggression into Russian Territory: Afghan political Relations with Bolsheviks in Turkestan;XII. Kasim Beg;XIII. Pan-Islamism and anti-British Schemes;XIV. Bolshevik Designs on Persia;XV. Bolshevik assistance to Afghans in Material, &c.;XVI. Miscellaneous: (a) Movements of Bolshevik troops in Transcaspia. (b) Food and fuel situation in Bolshevik area. (c) Intrigues with Trans-Caucasia;XVII. Appreciations of the General Situation.Section XVII contains substantial extracts from letters, memoranda, and reports rather than the usual summaries. Sections IV and XII are empty; nil is used to indicate that there are no reports in these sections for the period in question.The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Director of Military Intelligence (DMI); and Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India.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: The first part of the file (folios 1 to 2) consists of a chronological table of 'principal events' which took place in Afghanistan, Burma, China, Turkestan, and Persia between June 1885 and December 1887. Each entry includes a brief description and the date. In addition, it also indicates who was the Secretary of State for India and who was the Viceroy of India during the event in question. This list is dated 1 January 1888.The second part of the file (folios 3 to 5) consists of a copy of letter from Sir Arthur Hirtzel to Mr Parker dated 26 February 1913. It concerns a compromise that might be reached with the Ottoman Empire over the status of Koweit [Kuwait]. It also includes copies of the following enclosures:1. a proposed statement defining the territorial limits to which the British will guarantee the autonomy of the Sheikh of Koweit;2. extract of a letter from Major Stuart George Knox, Political Agent, Kuwait, dated 23 May 1908. It concerns the suzerainty of Anta'a;3. extracts from Major Knox's report on his trip to Anta'a, which claims that the local population views the Sheikh of Koweit as their legitimate ruler;4. extract of a letter from Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent, Koweit, dated 23 March 1910. It conveys some of his opinions concerning the territorial extent of Koweit;5. extract from Captain Shakespear's diary dated 25 February 1910.Also included in the second part is a map (folio 4) showing the limits of Koweit and adjacent territory, which includes south eastern Iraq, south western Persia, and a significant part of the Persian Gulf.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 consists of two parts and each has an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-66 to dispatch no. 4 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 20 February 1839. The enclosures are dated 4 November 1837-16 May 1838.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Afghanistan, the Sikh Empire and Sindh. Much of the correspondence is concerned with the invasion of Herat by Persia [Iran], specifically:A treaty between the Shah of Persia [Mohammad Shah Qajar] and the chiefs of Kandahur [Kandahar, also spelt Candahar in the file], and the eventual renunciation of the treaty by the chiefs on the belief that the Shah had violated its termsThe surrender of Gorian [Ghurian, also spelt Ghorian in the file] to the Persian army after a ten-day siegeThe return to Herat of Kamran Shah and the city’s re-fortificationA meeting between the Shah of Persia and the Governor of Khorasan at Sahrood Boostan [Shahrud Bastam]The siege of HeratReactions to Persia’s actions by Dost Mahomed [Mohammad] Khan, Emir of Afghanistan, and his exiled predecessor Shah Shuja [Shah Shujah Durrani]A request by Yar Mohamed Khan, Vizier of Herat, for assistance from Candahar, Bhokhara [Bukhara] and Toorkistan [Turkestan].Other topics covered include:Intelligence reports believed to be inaccurate or unreliableReports of two thousand armed Baloches [Balochis] assembling near Rojhun [Rojhan]The return of Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, to LahoreThe surrender of Bahram Khan Mazari to the Governor of Multan [Diwan Sawan Mal Chopra], and the return of his possessionsThe unauthorised publication of a secret Government of India despatch in Bombay [Mumbai] newspapersArrangements for a visit to the Sikh Empire by the Governor-General of India and a meeting between him and the MaharajahAn account of the roads between Peshawar and Cabool [Kabul]Reports of a Russian agent at CaboolA perceived threat of invasion of Peshawar by Sardar Mahamad Akbur Khan [Wazir Akbar Khan], Emir of CaboolNegotiations for stationing a British Resident in SindhFabricated credentials of Haji Hoosain Ali Khan, who had claimed to be a representative of the Government of CaboolDebts left behind by the late Dr Gerard, surgeon with the British mission to Cabool.The primary correspondents are: Colonel Claude Martin Wade, Political Agent, Loodianah [Ludhiana]; Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson, on a mission to Peshawar; Captain Alexander Burnes, on a mission to Cabool; and the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 406, and terminates at f 603, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The bundle consists of a English translation of a paper produced by the Persian Government. The paper outlines Persian complaints against the conduct and line of policy adopted by HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, and his predecessors: Colonel Justin Sheil, Colonel Francis Farrant, and William Taylour Thomson. It also explains the Government of Persia's position on Herat.The paper was enclosed in a letter from Murray – Number 15 of 1856.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)