Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the office of the Secretary of State for India, and the Admiralty regarding the Eastern and General Syndicate's past interest in obtaining a concession for Qatar and the recent movements of Major Frank Holmes and his agents in attempting to reinterest the Shaikh of Qatar (haikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī) in a concession.The file also includes a summary of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's interest in a Qatar concession in 1925 and a letter from the Admiralty regarding the need to ensure any concession agreement included sufficient safeguards for British interests in the Persian Gulf.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 20-21.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. An additional foliation sequence is present between ff 5-19; these numbers are also written in pencil and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, although the numbers are not circled. A previous (circled) foliation sequence has been crossed out.
Abstract: Memorandum outlining oil concessions in Persia and Iraq held by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Standard Oil, and the Turkish Petroleum Company. It covers the Arabian littoral of the Gulf, and highlights the restrictions placed on Arab rulers by treaty engagements from granting oil concessions without approval of His Majesty's Government. In addition, it notes that Eastern and General Syndicate have a concession for Bahrein [Bahrain] Islands; and assesses the importance of Persian oil to Britain.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 76, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.
Abstract: The memorandum contains a printed copy (folios 2-4) of the oil concession agreed between the Shaikh of Qatar, Abdullah bin Qasim al Thani [‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī], and Charles C Mylles, Representative of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC), on 17 May 1935. Following the concession agreement are copies of three letters (folio 5) sent by Mylles to Shaikh ‘Abdullāh, all dated 17 May 1935, relating to the signing of the concession agreement.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 2 and terminates at f 5, as it is part of a larger physical file; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The main foliation sequence commences at the 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.Pagination: The file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file consists of a Foreign Office memorandum (author unknown), followed by an annex written by Charles Murray Marling, British Minister at Tehran.The file concerns the revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. The convention divided Persia into three areas: a Russian sphere in the north, a British sphere in the south-east, and a remaining neutral zone.The memorandum refers to a recent invitation by the Russian government for Britain to enter into possession of practically the whole of the neutral zone. It discusses the possibility of negotiating for a considerable area of the current Russian sphere to be included in the new British territory. The memorandum suggests that Britain's efforts should be concentrated on the towns of Ispahan and Yezd (both of which lie in the Russian sphere) or in the last resort, on Yezd alone. The memorandum goes on to suggest that, as a counterpoise to Russia's cession, Britain might wish to surrender to Russia the oil-bearing districts in Kermanshah, which are located in the Russian sphere, but which currently belong, 'in a more or less undeveloped state', to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.Also discussed is the possibility of Britain agreeing with Russia to limit the activities of the Imperial Bank (Persia's state bank), which currently has nine branches in the Russian zone, to the neutral zone of Persia. The memorandum suggests that such a course of action would hardly be possible unless Britain would be prepared to pay an indemnity to the Imperial Bank for the loss of its branches. However, it is argued that this action would give Britain a valuable lever in its efforts to have Ispahan included in the new British territory.In the annex which follows on from the memorandum, Charles Murray Marling recounts a brief meeting with Sazonof [Sergei Dmitrievich Sazonov], the Russian Foreign Minister, in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg], who reportedly stated that Russia wishes to retain both the district and town of Ispahan, in order to protect Russian trade in the Russian sphere from British merchants.Marling suggests that it would be both in Britain's and in Russia's interests for Ispahan to be included in the new British sphere, on the grounds that to do otherwise would result in a partition of the Bakhtiari tribe's territory. Such a partition, Marling argues, would divide the tribe into 'British' and 'Russian' parties, and would result in both parties possessing a common grievanace against Britain.Marling questions the extent to which the inclusion of Ispahan within the Russian sphere would benefit Russian trade. He speculates on the real reason for Russia wishing to retain the territory, before emphasising the importance of Ispahan, both to Britain's interests in the oilfields of Bakhtiaristan, and to its future position in Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 15, and terminates at f 17, 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.
Abstract: It consists of a military report on S W Persia, specifically Bakhtiari Garmsir [Bakhtīārī], created for the personal information of the officers of the Army in India. Compiled in the Division of the Chief of the Staff, Army Head Quarters, India. Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1909.It includes: a preface by Wilfrid Malleson, Assistant Quarter-Master General, Intelligence Branch; an account of the tribal and political aspect of the district by the British Consul for Arabistan [Khūzestān], David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer; and a note on medical matters by Dr M Y Young of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company Limited.It is divided into the following sections:general – geographical, geological, zoological, tribal, strategical, archaeological, and linguistic;military – climate, supplies, transport, communications, and medical;route reports - compiled in 1908 covering the whole area with a network of known tracks;Gazetteer notes – geographical information;appendices – including a statement of resources in the district, traffic returns, reports on the carrying capacity of steamers on the Kārūn and the tramway at Nasiri, genealogical trees, and a note on the operations of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.Also includes one map on folio 81: 'MAP to illustrate Military Report on S.W. PERSIA'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 82; 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: Military report compiled at the General Staff, Army Headquarters, India, and printed in Simla by The Manager, Government of India Press, 1940.The volume begins with a preface (folio 3) in which notes on authorities consulted in compiling the report are given. The rest of the report is divided into nine chapters (I-IX), plus appendices, each covering a different subject, as follows:Chapter I: General Description of the AreaChapter II: ClimateChapter III: PopulationChapter IV: Base PortsChapter V: Lines of Communication and Transportation FacilitiesChapter VI: Signal CommunicationsChapter VII: Economic Resources and SuppliesChapter VIII: Engineer and Ordnance FacilitiesChapter IX: Medical FacilitiesAppendicesIn a pocket at the back of the volume are the following maps and charts:Abadan and Bawarda (map) (folio 64)Naseri and Ahwaz, showing new bridge (map) (folio 65)Dar-i-Khazineh (map) (folio 66)Diagram of wireless communications (map) (folio 67)Sketch map showing flood water, February-March 1938 (folio 68)Road distance mileage chart (folio 69)Comparative bridge loading table (folio 70)One of the maps listed in the contents is missing: 'Map of A. I. O. C. [Anglo-Iranian Oil Company] Central and Southern areas showing oilfields, pipelines, telephone and telegraph lines'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 71; 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 map shows oil concessions of the Anglo Persian Oil Company, the Iraq Petroleum Company, and the British Oil Development Company. It indicates proposed pipe lines of the Iraq Petroleum Company from Kirkuk to Haifa, and to Tripoli [in Lebanon] via Haditha. The map also indicates hydrology and railway lines.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 172 x 279mm, on sheet 215 x 340mm
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (John Charles Walton); the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (L Lefroy, Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington, Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros) on the subject of possible concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs and the formation of a new company, Petroleum Concessions Limited to undertake negotiations for these concessions.Matters discussed include:correspondence from Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson, negotiator for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) discussing what he had learned of the extent and boundaries of Abu Dhabi territory; his negotiations with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and his eventual success in securing a two year option, including a copy of the agreement signed between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Also included in the correspondence is information on the different tribes and tribal groups within Abu Dhabi; the availability of water, livestock and food supplies; and transport options within the country;the decision by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to form a new subsidiary company, Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) to take on the options obtained from Trucial Coast Shaikhs and exploit potential concessions should oil be found. The correspondence is primarily between Sir John Skliros, Chairman of Petroleum Concessions Limited, Langlois Massy Lefroy and Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and representatives of the India Office discussing the establishment of PCL and their interest in negotiating an extension of their options to five years and including draft concessions in those extensions. Enclosed within the volume are PCL’s proposed draft concession agreements for Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah], Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait Neutral Zone and Bahrain; the two year option agreement signed with Shaikh Rashid bin Homaid [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī], Ruler of Ajman ; and interest in an option in Umm-ul-Quwain [Umm al Qaywayn];correspondence from Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat expressing a desire to have a mineralogical survey undertaken within his territories, as although the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (now the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) had surveyed the area in the past he wished to have a second opinion to settle the question of whether or not there might be oil;attempts by Major Frank Holmes to form a British Company to pursue possible Oil Concessions on the Trucial Coast, which failed, and his subsequent appointment by Petroleum Concessions Limited to act as their negotiator in the Persian Gulf;the question of whether an option for Kalba [Kalbā] would be of interest and discussing its complicated political status involving the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah;discussion over the wording of the option agreement between the Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah and AIOC and whether it covers the island of Tamb (also given as Tanb) [Greater Tumb].Correspondence with the various Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic, with translations in English, and the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 200-204.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 7-199; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file contains a printed copy of a letter, sent by Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Talbot Wilson, Officiating Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government of India, concerning the protection of the oil fields operated by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) in the Arabistan region of Bakhtīārī. Wilson’s letter contains a précis of the protection given to the oilfields during the First World War, the current extent of oil extraction facilities in the region, justification for their continued protection, and his own recommendations for this protection.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 booklet contains an original typed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers relating to the Imperial Airways aerodrome at Muharraq, Bahrain. The correspondence is between:representatives of Imperial Airways Limited;Political Agency, Bahrain;Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain;Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo, Agent of Anglo-Persian Oil Company in Bahrain;Section Officer, Works & Buildings Department, Royal Air Force (RAF), Basrah, Iraq.Most of the papers relate to the expansion and improvement of the aerodrome and routine matters such as payment for transportation and work completed. Specific matters covered by the papers include:a proposal by Imperial Airways for the construction of a protective wall against sudden storms (plan and drawing on folio 5);a request by Anglo-Persian Oil Company for the erection of an additional store building (plan on folio 18);the need for standard markings at the aerodrome, as pressed by the RAF;the provision of first aid equipment at the aerodrome;the crash landing of Imperial Airways vessel 'Horsa' and the rescue of its stranded passengers and crew.Folios 19-20 are the document 'Air Navigation Regulations for Civil Aircraft for the Territory of Bahrein [Bahrain], and Conditions governing the use of the Aerodrome at Muharraq'.Folios 33-38 are internal office notes.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 39; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 16-32; 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 contains correspondence between the Political
Resident in Bushire, the Political Agent in Bahrain and the Secretary of State for
India, on the Qatar oil concession, on the Southern boundary of Qatar and on the role of
Ibn Saud in the negotiation.The volume includes:meeting notes, copies of telegrams and letters on
Qatar and Kuwait oil concessions;note from the Political Agent in Kuwait to the
Political Resident dated 23 Jan 1934 about the Qatar and Hasa Oil concessions and the
Kuwait Neutral Zone (ff. 60-63);memorandum on the political importance of 'the
maintenance of a British position on the Arab littoral of the Gulf' (ff. 71-76)
and the need to offer protection to the Sheikh of Qatar in return for an
'undertaking on his part to grant a concession to the Anglo Persian Oil Company
(Iraq Petroleum Company);correspondence between the British Air Ministry and
the India Office about air facilities in Qatar;note referring to a conversation that occurred at the
end of 1922 between Sir Percy, Ibn Saud and Major Holmes regarding the southern
boundaries of Qatar and the political relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia (f.
116C);memorandum from the meetings occurred on 11-12 Mar
1934 between the Sheikh Abdullah bin Qasim al-Thani and the Political Resident re oil
concession (ff. 131-140);copies of draft Qatar Oil Concession;a sketch of Qatar, ink on fabric (f. 212);memorandum on the frontiers of Saudi Arabia (ff.
196-199).There is an index at the end of the volume ( folios
211-216).Physical description: The foliation is on top right-hand corner, starting on the
first page of writing and finishing on the back cover. The numbering is in pencil,
enclosed by a circle and starts with 1, then 115, 116A, 116B, 116C, then carries on
until 221, which is the last number given. There is a second pagination on the top right
corner, uncircled, starting on folio 22 (numbered 21) to folio 100 (numbered 99) and
then from folio 116a (numbered 113) until folio 210 (numbered 207).
Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the initiation of oil exploration operations in Kuwait. Its papers detail the initial stages of geological prospecting and the agreements drawn between British authorities, the ruler of Kuwait, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. Of note are papers that discuss the role of Major Frank Holmes in initiating the operations of the Eastern and General Syndicate in the Gulf. Arabic correspondence consists primarily of letters between the ruler of Kuwait and the Political Agent in Kuwait.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 300; 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 3-295; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.