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49. Political Situation in Persia, the North-West Frontier, Afghanistan, and Aden
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum is divided up into four sections and a conclusion. The first (folios 125-130) provides an update on the political situation in Persia, and considers how advantageous/disadvantageous it is to British interests, with specific updates on the following places: Isfanhan [Eşfahān], Fars, Bushire, Kerman, Baluchistan, Seistan [Sīstān va Balūchestān], and Meshed [Mashhad]. There is a running — British — concern over the expansion of German influence, and the operation of German supported 'bands' in Persia; a list of causes is provided on folios 129-130.The second section (folios 131-132) provides an update on the North-West Frontier of India, and the third section (folios 133-134) provides an update on Afghanistan. The latter considers the loyalty — to the British — of the Amir of Afghanistan and the influence of a German party in the country. Three copies of telegrams from the Viceroy of India on the subject of the Amir can be found on folio 135.The fourth section (folios 139-140), on the other hand, is a brief update on the situation of the British garrison at Aden, and considers the necessity (for British military interests) in 'separating the Arabs from the Turks'.The conclusion (folios 136-138) provides suggestions as to the measures that may be taken to improve Britain's geopolitical position in Persia, and mitigate future threats to British India.The author is Sir Arthur Hirtzel, Political Department, India Office.Physical description: Condition: the ink on folios 125-127 has faded.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 125, and terminates at f 140, 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.Pagination: each section of the item also has a typed pagination sequence; these numbers are located in the top centre of the recto side of each folio.
50. Telegrams Relating to the South Persia Rifles
- Description:
- Abstract: This file concerns control of the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles]. It consists of the following telegrams:Secretary of State for India [Joseph Austen Chamberlain] to the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger], 9 January 1917;Viceroy of India to the Secretary of State for India, 21 January 1917;Secretary of State for India to the Viceroy of India, 25 January 1917;Secretary of State for India to the Viceroy of India, 30 January 1917;Viceroy of India to the Secretary of State for India and repeated to the British Minister at Tehran [Sir Charles Murray Marling], 6 February 1917.The telegrams are primarily concerned with how and by whom the South Persian Rifles should be controlled. In his telegram of 9 January 1917, the Secretary of State for India informs the Viceroy that the War Cabinet, having concluded that operations around Shiraz have assumed a military character, is of the opinion that the forces commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, including the South Persian Rifles, should be placed under the control of the Government of India.The Viceroy, in his telegram dated 21 January 1917, advises that the force be placed under the control of the Commander-in-Chief in India, who would nominate an experienced General to exercise command. The Viceroy suggests that the Commander-in-Chief's authority would be subject to instructions received from the Government of India, under the orders of the Home Government (and after reference, when necessary, to the British Minister at Teheran [Tehran]).In the telegram dated 30 January 1917, the Secretary of State for India states that the War Cabinet is reluctant to supersede Sykes, on the grounds that he is an officer with exceptional knowledge of Persia. The Viceroy's telegram of 6 February 1917, whilst recognising Sykes's political qualifications, questions his military knowledge.Other, more immediate matters relating to the South Persian Rifles are also discussed, including co-ordination between forces at Shiraz and Bushire, and the reinforcement of Sykes's troops at Shiraz.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 110, and terminates at f 111, 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.
51. Miscellaneous reports and correspondence relating to Kuwait
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence of the Political Agency, Bahrain relating to Kuwait, and reports concerning Kuwait circulated to the Agency.The papers include:report entitled 'Situation in Kuwait' by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Edward Archibald Hamilton, Political Agent, Kuwait, [March 1918];'Report on Institution and Working of the Blockade at Kuwait', by Captain Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent, Kuwait, September 1918;printed copy of Diaryof Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Edward Archibald Hamilton, Political Agent, Kuwait, of his journey to Najd and back, February 1918;copies of telegrams between the Political Agent Koweit [Kuwait], the Political Agent Bahrein [Bahrain], and the Political Resident, Bushire concerning the movements of caravans containing foodstuffs from Bahrein that had been turned away from the blockade of Kuwait, April - May 1918;memorandum of the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf requesting the periodical visit of a British warship to Bahrain in order to prevent possible smuggling of tea or ammunition from Bahrain and Qatar to the Persian Littoral, and to act as a reminder of the British presence in Bahrain, March 1920.The Arabic language content of this file consists of a few Arabic versions of personal and place names that occur in the official print in folios 21-33.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 42 on the last folio before the back cover. These numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio.
52. Report on the Operations in the Vicinity of Shaiba 12th-14th April 1915. Simla: General Staff India, 1915.
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains military despatches regarding the Battle of Shaiba that took place between British and Ottoman forces on 12-14 April 1915.The file begins with an introductory letter from General Sir John Eccles Nixon, Commanding Force "D" to the Chief of General Staff, Simla (folios 4-6) that is followed by a report related to events of 11-12 April written by Major-General C. I. Fry (folios 8-10) and another report that concerns events of April 13-14 written by Major-General C. J. Melliss (folios 14-19).The file contains a number of maps and sketches of the battlefield and surrounding area.Physical description: A bound, printed volume. The file's 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. Please note that ff. 31-34 are housed within f. 35.The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
53. Letter from Brigadier-General Arthur Wigram Money, General Headquarters, India Expeditionary Force "D", Basrah [Basra] to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department, India Office
- Description:
- Abstract: The confidential letter reports on the tribal situation in Mesopotamia [Iraq], describing the various tribes located in the different listed geographic areas and noting whether they were friendly or hostile to British forces. The sections in the letter include:General - reporting on the check received by the British force at Ctesiphon, 22 November 1915, which had temporarily changed the progress of their advance, but that it had not appeared to have changed the tribes attitudes towards them;Euphrates Line, reporting on the tribes of the Nasirayah [al-Nāsirīyah] neighbourhood and of Ajaimi [al-‘Ajamī] of the Muntafik [al-Muntafiq] who was in the Samawa [al-Samāwah] neighbourhood;Shatt-al-Hai [Shaṭṭ al-Gharrāf], reporting that Khayun-el-Obeid, the Chief of Al Abudah had been stirred up by Turkish officers and had now abandoned his allegiance to Britain, detailing which other chiefs in the area were likely to follow him, and reporting on the Bani Rubiah who were now actively hostile towards them;Tigris Line, reporting that good relations had continued with some of the tribes along river, with the exception of the Zubaid [al-Zubayd] and Shammar Toqah Arabs as there had not been sufficient time to develop British relations with them;Karun [Kārūn], reporting that there were tribes in the area loyal to the Shaikh of Muhammareh (Shaikh Khaz‘al bin Jābir al-Ka‘bī) [Muhammarah, now Khorramshahr] , an ally of the British, and that Germany had attempted to gain influence around the oil-fields in the area, but had not succeeded;Persia, discussing the British-Persian alliance which was under negotiation, and the fact that the British would have sufficient warning should any force move towards Bushire;Arabia, reporting on the conclusion of a treaty with Ibn Saʻūd and relations with the new Shaikh of Kuwait (Jābir bin Mubārak Āl Sabāh).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 28 and terminates at folio 29, 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 the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
54. Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey, Indian Army, Political Agent, Kuwait to Sir Arthur Hirtzel, Secretary, Political Department, India Office
- Description:
- Abstract: The letter from Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey to Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel encloses a copy of a letter No. C/8 of 1915 by Grey, as Political Agent in Kuwait, to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 9 June 1915, regarding Arab co-operation with the Turks in the Shatt al-Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab] country.The letter refers to remarks made by Lord Curzon of Kedleston both in the House of Lords and in relation to an address given by Mr P Landon on Basrah and the Shatt al-Arab at the Society of Arts in April 1915. The remarks are regarding Arab tribes supporting the Turks, and further observations made by the Secretary of State for India on the Battle of Shaiba, at which it was reported that the Turkish troops had been joined by almost 10,000 Arab combatants. The letter also raises the question of why they were now siding with the Turks given their previous relations with Britain.Grey's response to these observations includes a detailed explanation of the composition of the tribes involved as being primarily from Arab communities in Iraq, and the Muntafiq [al-Muntafiq] tribe of the Euphrates and Shatt-ul-Gharaf [Shaṭṭ al-Gharrāf, also known as Shaṭṭ al-Ḥayy] regions. His response also notes that the tribes involved are not those of the Persian Gulf region as had previously been assumed by Lord Curzon.The letter goes on to explain these tribes' relations with the Turks and the reasons for their having sided with them. The letter concludes by providing information on some of the tribes of the Persian Gulf, in particular the Zaffir [al-Zafīr] who had declined Turkish invitations to take up arms; and the Yuarin, Bani Malik [Banī Mālik] and Shammar all of whom had chosen to remain neutral.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 26 and terminates at folio 26, 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 the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
55. PZ 7629/1934 ‘Messrs Wonckhaus’s claim in respect of Abu Musa oxide’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers relating to the claim of Robert Wonkhaus and Company, Hamburg, for financial compensation for loss due to the interruption of their contract for purchasing red oxide at Abu Musa from a concessionaire, following the cancellation of the concession by the Shaikh of Shargah [Sharjah]. Negotiations had taken place with the company before the First World War, but the question of compensation due to them was left undecided by the outbreak of the War.It includes correspondence between M J Clauson, India Office and Gustav Zinnow, a partner in the company Robert Wonkhaus and Company, including a letter from Clauson to Zinnow of 30 September 1939, stating that he is directed to inform Zinnow that there is no prospect of HM Government or the Government of India being able to favourably consider Zinnow’s representations for compensation (folio 2). The file also includes correspondence between Clauson and Thompson, Quarrell and Company, Solicitors, and other related correspondence and papers, such as a statement on the case by Zinnow (folios 20 to 24).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 29; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
56. Coll 28/51 ‘Persia. Relations with H.M.G. Treaty negotiations: Article regarding private claims.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence and other papers relating to the drafting of an article for the Anglo-Persian Treaty, concerning private claims made against the British and Persian Governments. The correspondence concerns: the exclusion from the article of British Indian claims; an agreement by both parties to not pursue certain claims arising from the ‘exceptional circumstances obtaining during the [First] world war’ (f 155); general treaty instructions from the India Office, sent to the British Legation in Tehran; details of an historic claim for approximately £900,000, made against the British Government by a Persian subject named Socrates Atychides, whose ship, the Kara Deniz, was detained and declared as prize at Bombay [Mumbai] in 1914; a printed copy of a general review of British claims against Persia, prepared by Hugh Ritchie, formerly of the Foreign Office. Ritchie’s review includes indexes to supplementary volumes (not included in the file) entitled Persia (Legation Claims), Persia: Consulate Claims (Peace-Time), and Persia: Consulate Claims (War-Time)(ff 22-51). The indexes are lists of British claimants.Principal correspondents in the file include: John Charles Walton and John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office; George William Rendel and Christopher Frederick Ashton Warner of the Foreign Office; W R L Trickett of HM’s Treasury.The file contains a single paragraph of French text: a draft of the claims article submitted by the Government of Persia (f 168).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 178; 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.
57. Coll 28/95 ‘Persia. Relations with H.M.G. Private claims against H.M.G.: case of the S.S. “Kara Deniz”.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence, reports and other papers relating to the case of the SS Kara Deniz, a Turkish-owned steamship that was claimed as prize by the British Government at the moment of the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the First World War, while the vessel was moored at Bombay [Mumbai]. The papers focus on a financial claim made against the British Government by the vessel’s Greek owners, Socrates Atychides and Theodore Vahratoglou, based on the argument that the vessel had been sold to Persian owners before it was claimed as prize.The file includes: correspondence beginning in 1927 and exchanged between the Foreign Office, India Office and Government of India, responding to the Government of Persia’s desire to conclude the claim being pursued by Atychides against the British Government; discussion of whether the Kara Denizwas detained prior to or after the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the War; accounts detailing the seizure of the Kara Deniz, including a 1928 note entitled ‘A brief account of the circumstances attending the alleged detention at Bombay of the S. S. “Kara Deniz” prior to her capture as a prize vessel in 1914’ (ff 323-330), and another note entitled ‘Diary of certain events relating to the detention of the S. S. “Kara Deniz” at Bombay in 1914” (ff 151-152); copies of correspondence (some in French) from Atychides; a printed copy of the court proceedings at the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty Jurisdiction, entitled ‘Case No. 3 of 1914. In Prize. Steamship “Kara Deniz.”’ (ff 189-246); discussion of the claim in relation to other outstanding claims and disputes to be settled between the British and Persian Governments; a report prepared by HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Reginald Hervey Hoare, dated 1935, entitled ‘British claims against Persia’ (ff 84-109).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 345; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
58. Memoranda Relating to Departmental Views on the Conduct of the War in the East and the Administration of Mesopotamia
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises typescript, printed and manuscript memoranda, dated 1918 and 1920 by: Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India; Arthur James Balfour, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (up to October 1919); Henry Wilson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, War Office; and Foreign Office officials as instructed by Lord Curzon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (from October 1919).The memoranda cover the different views expressed by the Foreign Office, India Office and War Office, on the conduct of the War in the East and British policy in the Middle East, in particular the following:The effectiveness of policy being conducted by the Eastern Committee of the War CabinetThe roles of the Government of India and the India Office, and the Foreign Office, in that region, notably in Arabia, Persia [Iran] and Mesopotamia [Iraq]Whether a separate department should be established by the Foreign Office and War Office to deal with Middle Eastern affairsCriticism by the Eastern Committee, and the Foreign Office and Lord Curzon, of the administration of Mesopotamia by Arnold Talbot Wilson, Acting Civil Commissioner, notably for being too 'militaristic', anti-democratic, insufficiently focused on civil administration, and antagonistic to Arab nationalism.Several of the memoranda written in 1918 are responses by the Foreign Office and the War Office to Montagu's memorandum entitled 'War Cabinet. Eastern Committee. The War in the East', 5 July 1918 (ff 10-11), in which Montagu expresses doubts about the Eastern Committee's conduct of war policy in the Middle East. The memoranda written in 1920 document the Foreign Office's views on the 'Wilsonian policy being pursued in Mesopotamia' (ff 24-36).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 60; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio and are not circled.
59. Note on Indian Immigration into Mesopotamia
- Description:
- Abstract: This printed memorandum is a copy of a letter to the Under Secretary of State offering observations on points raised in a minute by the Secretary of State concerning Indian immigration to Mesopotamia [Iraq]. The memorandum details the role of Indian troops in the Mesopotamian Campaign, relations between India and Mesopotamia, and the subsequent administration of Mesopotamia. Further details are given concerning Indian labour and the problems which Indian immigration could cause.Physical description: The foliation for this memorandum commences at folio 74, and terminates at folio 78, 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.
60. Memorandum by the Chief of Imperial General Staff and a Minute by Edmund George Barrow and John Evelyn Shuckburgh, on the Situation in Southern Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: This file concerns attacks made against the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles] by members of Persian tribes at Kazerun and Dashtistan [Dashtestan] (also spelled as 'Dasht-i-Arjun' and 'Dashtarjin' in the file), and the possibility of sending troops from Bushire.The file consists of a memorandum, dated 25 December 1916, by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) [William Robertson], and a minute, dated 27 December 1916 and written in response to the memorandum, by Edmund George Barrow, Military Secretary, India Office, and John Evelyn Shuckburgh, India Office.The memorandum proposes that control of the South Persian Rifles, commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, should be placed under the Commander-in-Chief in India, Sir Charles Carmichael Monro.The minute, which follows on from the memorandum, disagrees with some of its points. It argues that it is not quite fair to suggest that the failure to deal with the situation in Southern Persia was due solely to a lack of machinery, and suggests that a lack of resources was also a contributing factor. However, the minute does agree with the memorandum's proposal of placing the South Persian Rifles under the control of the Commander-in-Chief in India, so long as military action is taken with due regard both to political and diplomatic considerations and to the views of His Majesty's diplomatic representatives; the minute also advises that the Commander-in-Chief in India should invariably act in consultation with the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 40, and terminates at f 45, 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.