Abstract: The item consists of a collection of documents signed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Edward Grey) and the Grand Vizier of Ottoman Empire (Ibrahim Hakki Pasha) on 29 July 1913.It contains the following: a convention concerning the establishment of a commission to improve the conditions of navigation from Shatt al-Arab; a list of lighthouses and buoys on Shatt al-Arab; a series of declarations concerning the question of the border that separates the Persian and Ottoman territories from the region of Haouizé [Hoveyzeh] to the sea, and navigation on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; and agreements between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Grand Vizier of Ottoman Empire on Koueit [Kuwait], El Katr [Qatar], Bahreine [Bahrain], Golfe Persique [Persian Gulf], and the commission of delimitation.It also includes translations of agreements with the Sheikh of Koweit [Shaikh of Kuwait] dated 1899, 1900, and 1904, on protecting British interests, along with correspondence between Edward Grey and Tewfik Pasha regarding these agreements and railways in Asiatic Turkey.The majority of text is in French, with some English.Also includes two maps:IOR/W/L/PS/18/B381 (i) – 'MAP TO SHOW THE LIMITS OF KOWEIT AND ADJACENT COUNTRY'.IOR/W/L/PS/18/B381 (ii) – 'SKETCH MAP OF THE PERSIAN GULF & ARABIAN COAST'.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident at Bushire, the Government of India, the India Office in London and Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives in regard to the air reconnaissance of Qatar and the negotiations with ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, Sheikh of Qatar, for the oil concession, including arrangements for APOC's Mr Mylles visiting Doha and on the visit of the Sheikh of Qatar to Bahrain, from 14 to 19 October 1934. The volume contains draft agreements and:'Memorandum respecting the Boundaries in Arabia: Anglo-Turkish Arrangements' (ff. 22-23), with map (f. 24) showing the Anglo-Turkish Conventions lines in the Arabic peninsula;Hand-drawn map showing the itinerary of the Qatar air reconnaissance carried out on 29 June 1934 (folio 34).'Sketch map of Qatar Peninsula' (folio 218).There are some letters in Arabic, mainly to and from the local rulers.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 230; these numbers are written in pencil 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 35-229; 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.
Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum written by Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, in which the author discusses a proposed delimitation of the Russo-Perso-Afghan frontier by the Russian Government. The author points out that, aside from the difficulties of delimiting such featureless terrain, any artificial boundary so marked out would be ignored by the numerous nomadic tribes of the area. The author proposes instead that a frontier be established merely in general terms.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at folio 169, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located at the top right corner of the folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.
Abstract: The memorandum is a summary of news and events in Persia of interest to the British Government. The subject matter largely concerns itself with reports indicating that the current Shah, Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, is very unpopular, and discussion on whether Britain and Russia should work together over the succession — in the event of his death — in order to maintain the independence of Persia as per their understanding of 1834. It therefore also includes brief mentions of riots in Astrabad [Gorgān], Bakhari [Chahār Maḩāl va Bakhtīārī], Hamadan, and the occupation of a telegraph office at Shiraz.There is also brief coverage of the state of Persian relations with Afghanistan, Turkey, and Russia, including a mention of a recent a recent boundary treaty signed with the latter in 27 May 1881.The memorandum was written by Francis Leverson Bertie, Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 106, and terminates at f 111, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume contains correspondence predominantly between Major W G Grey, Officiating Political Agent; Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department; and A Barnett Barker, Lieutenant-Commander, HMS
Lapwing; and Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd, the Sultan of Muscat. The volume primarily concerns a dispute between Great Britain and France with regards to the flying of the French flag by Muscat dhow boats, resulting in arbitration by the Hague Tribunal. Subjects discussed within the volume include:The case of a British ship (HMS
Terpsichore) boarding a vessel flying the French flag (folios 320-324);The French Consul's visit (folio 76);A landing at Gwadar in 1896 by the Perso-Baluch Boundary Commission without reference to the Sultan of Muscat (folios 111, 119);The objection to the inclusion of the Sultan in the Hague Arbitration (folio 7) and selection of members for the Hague Arbitration (folio 14);The captain Ali bin Salim Walad Taib [‘Alī bin Sālim Walad Tayyib?] (folio 289);Boundaries of Muscat as given for the Hague Arbitration (folios 168, 231, 266);Instructions that the Political Agent should not interfere with French consul's visit (folio 76);The case of ‘Abd al-Ḥasan bin ‘Abdullāh, known as Habluk (folio 67-68);The treatment of the Khoja's (f. 42); Nasib bin Muhammad [Naṣīb bin Muḥammad] (folio 67);The naval contractor and French protection (folio 60);Russian interests (folio 17);Question of the flag on Telegraph Island off Musandam (folios 201, 27);Boundaries with Ras-el-Khaimah (Ras al-Khaymah)and Shargah (Sharjah) (folio 200); slave trade under French flag (folio 320).Documents of particular interest include:Agreements between the United Kingdom and France referring to Arbitration: the Question of the Grant of the French Flag to Muscat Dhow, February 1905 (folios 1C-4);Memorandum regarding the history of the Khoja Community now in Oman (folios 39-45); letters of Faysal bin Turki Al Bu Said (folios 47, 53-54);Documents concerning the interpretation of a 15 June 1900 (16 Ṣafar 1318) notification (
‘ilān) in Arabic by Faysal bin Turki regarding flying flags of foreign governments (folios 134-144, 179-186);'List of dhow owners supposed by French to be under their protection' (folios 177-178);And Nine separate notes in reply to various statements made in the French case for the Hague Tribunal (folios 204-233);'Foreign Department Notes. Limits of the Sultanate of Muscat', by John Gordon Lorimer, dated 22 March 1905 (folios 267-268)Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the final folio; these numbers are typed, with additions/clarifications/corrections in ink and pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Foliation errors: 1, 1A, 1B and 1C; 42 and 42A. Fold out folios: 36, 53-54, 93 and 93A; 138; 183; 185.
Abstract: The volume concerns the Eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia with Qatar and Trucial Oman (also referred to as the Trucial Coast), and negotiations over the boundary between British officials and Ibn Saud (referred to also as Bin Saud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, King of Saudi Arabia].The volume contains reports and correspondence, principally from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan); other Foreign Office officials; the Political Agent, Bahrain; Bertram Sydney Thomas; and officials of the India Office.The papers include: extracts prepared by the Political Resident, for the India Office, from a report by Bertram Thomas on the Trans-Oman air route reconnaissance of May-June 1927 (folios 8-21); papers on Anglo-Saudi relations and records of negotiations between HM Minister, Jeddah and the Deputy Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fuad Bey Hamza [Fu’ād Ḥamzah]), July-October 1934 (folios 37-60); further papers concerning Anglo-Saudi negotiations; papers prepared by the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle) concerning Ibn Saud and the Yemen campaign, November 1934 (folios 74-77); a letter from the Political Agent, Muscat (Major Claude Edward Urquhart Bremner), dated 23 October 1934, concerning the boundaries of Muscat Sultanate (folios 78-80); a Foreign Office note dated 19 December 1934 entitled 'South-Eastern Arabian frontier and United States Oil Concessions' (folios 122-124); papers relating to the Blue Line [a line drawn by British and Turkish officials in 1913 from the Gulf of Uqair to parallel 20 degrees North, in the Rub al-Khali]; and papers concerning tribal affairs (e.g. report by the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch) entitled 'Tribal situation in the Hinterland of the Trucial Coast', folios 140-146).The date range gives the covering dates of the correspondence; the earliest document is an enclosure on folios 8-21 containing extracts from Bertram Thomas's report on the Trans-Oman air route reconnaissance of May-June 1927, and the last dated addition to the file is an entry in the notes dated 25 February 1935.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 221; 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 6-216; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume concerns the definition of the eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia with Qatar and Trucial Oman, and negotiations over the boundary between British officials and Ibn Saud (also referred to as Bin Saud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, King of Saudi Arabia].The principal correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Bahrain; HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan), later the Chargé d'Affaires, Jeddah (Andrew Spencer Calvert); and senior officials of the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, and the Colonial Office.The papers cover: Anglo-Saudi negotiations over basing the frontier on the Blue Line [a line drawn by British and Turkish officials in 1913 from the Gulf of Uqair to parallel 20 degrees North, in the Rub al-Khali], and its extension on the side of Aden, the Violet Line; British proposals to base the frontier on a new line, the Green Line; further papers concerning the eastern, south, and south-eastern boundaries of Saudi Arabia; the effect of the proposed boundaries on the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi; Foreign Office records of discussions between HM Minister, Jedda (Ryan) and the Deputy Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fuad Bey Hamza [Fu’ād Ḥamzah]), June-July 1935 (folios 85-102); papers concerning territorial claims of Ibn Saud in eastern and south-eastern Arabia, July 1935 (folios 103-108); investigations into tribal matters (e.g. folio 117); geological surveys and the likely presence of oil in the area (passim); the Qatar boundary (especially folios 136-173); the Qatar oil concession, September 1935 (folios 174-178); and papers concerning an air reconnaissance by British officials, with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF), in order to determine certain key points on the proposed border in the area south of Qatar, October 1935 (folios 196-223).The Arabic language content of the papers consists of fewer than ten folios, mainly copies of correspondence between Ibn Saud and the Ruler of Qatar [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī].The date range gives the covering dates for the main items of correspondence; the earliest dated document is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence, dated 22 February 1935, and the last dated addition to the file is an entry in the notes on folio 229 dated 22 October [1935].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 234; 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 6-229; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the definition of the eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia, particularly the border with Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The King of Saudi Arabia is commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]. The need to establish a definite border was increased by the discovery of oil in the area.The principal correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch); HM Chargé d'Affaires, Jeddah (Andrew Spencer Calvert); HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan); the Secretary of State for India; the Government of India, and the Foreign Office.The volume includes: papers (folios 18-28, 32-33) concerning an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula, undertaken by the Royal Air Force and accompanied by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Loch, acting), including a chart showing tracks and positions (folio 21) and seven aerial photographs (folios 22-28), October 1935; notes by Haji Abdullah Fadhil Williamson on Abu Dhabi territory and boundaries 'given by the Al Bu Fallah Shaikhs and also the Manasir', November 1935 (folios 120-122); Sir Andrew Ryan's account of his journey across Arabia, December 1935 (folios 159-167), and record of his conversations at Riyadh with the Saudi Arabian Government, December 1935 (folios 168-193); and discussions concerning Bin Saud's claim to Jabal Naksh in Qatar, January 1936 (folios 202-224).The Arabic language content of the file is restricted to about ten folios of correspondence, mainly between Gulf rulers and the Political Agent, Bahrain.The date range gives the covering dates of the main items of correspondence; the earliest document is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence, dated 17 October 1935, and the last dated addition to the file is an entry in the notes dated 15 February [1936].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 248; 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 volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the settlement of the eastern and south-eastern frontiers of Saudi Arabia, the importance of which was enhanced by the presence of oil in the areas concerned.The principal correspondents are: HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan; Sir Reader William Bullard); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (principally Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch; Captain Tom Hickinbotham); and officials of the India Office, the Government of India, and the Foreign Office.The papers cover: reports of negotiations between HM Minister, Jeddah and the King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud (also referred to as Bin Saud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], through his representatives Fuad Bey Hamza [Fu’ād Bey Hamza] and Shaikh Yusuf Yasin [Yūsuf Yāsīn]; the boundary with Qatar; the boundary with Abu Dhabi; the status of Khor al Odeid [Khawr al ‘Udayd] and Jabal Naksh (including two photographs of Jabal Naksh, folios 135-136); the supposed existence of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Qatar prior to 1916, which is described by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf as an 'entire fabrication' (folio 41); aerial reconnaissance in the area, including a survey of places in Qatar by George William Rendel of the Foreign Office; correspondence concerning the exact position of Sufuk (also referred to as Safq) wells in the territory of Abu Dhabi, February-April 1937 (folios 90-98, 138-143, 160-161); paper by HM Minister, Jeddah (Bullard) concerning 'Mr Philby's [Harry St John Bridger Philby] expedition to the south and question of southern frontier of Saudi Arabia'; February 1937 (folios 150-159); paper by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Fowle) concerning 'Ibn Saud and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf', May 1937 (folios 199-206); and papers concerning the activities of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) at Qasr as Salwa, October-November 1937 (folios 216-231).The Arabic language content of the file is limited to approximately five folios, mostly correspondence (with English translations) from the Political Agent, Bahrain, to the rulers of Qatar and Abu Dhabi.The file also contains copies of earlier correspondence concerning the occupation of Khor al Odeid by Abu Dhabi, dated 1904-06 (folios 104-109).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 262; 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 4-256; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file concerns a conflict between Abu Dhabi and Dubai over their eastern border and consists of correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bahrain (William Rupert Hay; A.C. Galloway); Political Agent, Bahrain (Cornelius James Pelly); Residency Agent, Sharjah (Jasim ibn Muhammad Kadmari); Political Officer, Trucial Coast, Sharjah (Gordon Noel Jackson); Shaikh Shakhbut, ruler of Abu Dhabi; Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan, brother of Shaikh Shakhbut.The British conclude that the Shaikh of Dubai deliberately broke his undertaking not to engage in any aggressive acts and that he repeatedly disregarded their warnings to cease all interference in Beni Qitab and Abu Dhabi affairs. Furthermore, he persisted in allying himself with the Beni Qitab and exerting himself to prevent them from making peace with Abu Dhabi.The British discuss withholding quotas including grain and the closing of the port of Dubai. The file also includes: a tabulated summary of the claims of Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the boundary in the Khor Ghanadhah region; a translation of the peace settlement between the Shaikhs of Dubain and Abu Dhabi; a translation of the letter to Shaikh Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi exhorting him to control the tribes within his territory who engaged in hostilities against Duba following the peace treaty. Shaikh Shakhbut refused to return some stolen camels and asserted he was not responsible for the actions of the Manasir tribe. This led to the confiscation of Abu Dhabi's cloth and sugar quotas. There is also a memorandum describing how Shaikh Zayid bin Sultan, brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi sent a messenger to the Shaikh of Dubai offering to make peace. A demi-official letter from the Political Officer, Trucial Coast to the Political Agent Bahrain, notes the need to use force if necessary to uphold British authority in the Trucial Coast, particularly in the light of oil exploration.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation system in use is the sequence of numbers appearing in a circle in the top right hand corner of each folio. The file also bears a former foliation system of uncircled numbers, beginning at 35 and ending at 101. In addition, some papers bear a number written in red within a red circle.
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: The volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the question of how to settle the eastern frontier of Saudi Arabia.The principal correspondents are: HM Minister, Jedda (principally Sir Reader William Bullard); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (principally Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); officials of the India Office, the Government of India, and the Foreign Office; and the Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Amir Faisal [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]).The papers cover: the attitude of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] to the frontier question; the boundary with Qatar; the boundary with Abu Dhabi; the British maintenance of the Blue Line as the frontier; the activities of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) in the area, including allegations of encroachment by the company to the east of the Blue Line (folios 104-105); the status of Khor al Odeid and Jabal Naksh, and their possible cession to Saudi Arabia; the effect on negotiations of British policy in Palestine; and the activities of Petroleum Concessions Limited, including the need to guard against encroachment upon the southern boundary of the company's concession (folio 229).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 252; 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 10-252; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.