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1. Coll 28/29 ‘Persia. Russia. Russian Refugees in Persia.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence and papers collected in response to an influx of refugees arriving in the northern provinces of Persia [Iran] from Soviet Russia, reaching a peak during 1932 and 1933, as a result of a chronic famine affecting parts of southern Russia.Extracts from consular diaries and intelligence summaries, submitted by the British Consulates and Vice Consulates at Meshed [Mashhad] (Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett; Major L G W Hamber; Major Clive Kirkpatrick Daly), Tabriz (Clarence Edward Stanhope Palmer) and Resht [Rasht] (Archibald William Davis).Reports and memoranda on refugees from Russia in Persia (their numbers, condition, treatment at the hands of Russian and Persian authorities, movements) compiled by British officials at Meshed, Tabriz and Resht, and submitted to Government by the British Legation in Tehran (Reginald Hervey Hoare).Correspondence exchanged between India Office and Foreign Office representatives in response to the reports received from Persia, discussing what actions might be taken.Many of the reports and correspondence provide evidence of British officials’ suspicions of Communist (or Bolshevik) conspirators amongst the refugees, whom they suspect of intending to foment unrest in Persia. The papers also give indication of the various different ethnic groups and peoples comprising the refugees from Russia (including Turcoman [Turkmen], Armenian, Khirgis [Kyrgyz], Bukharan Jewish), and differences in the treatment and movements of these different groups, including, for example, Bukharan Jewish refugees’ attempts to obtain visas for travel to Palestine.The file contains a single item of correspondence in French, being a copy of a letter from the Secretary General of the League of Nations (f 9).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 205; 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in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
2. Correspondence from Sir William Lockyer Merewether, Commissioner in Sind to Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf
- Description:
- Abstract: Letters from William Lockyer Merewether to Lewis Pelly discussing affairs in the Persian Gulf, Muscat, Kelat [Kalāt], Afghanistan, India, Europe and Britain.Discussion on affairs in Muscat covers the period 1866 to 1872 and includes Syud Salem [Salim II bin Thuwaini]'s attempts to consolidate power as Sultan 1866-1868; Colonel Herbert Disbrowe, Political Agent at Muscat's actions whilst in post and his subsequent removal from there; and Torkee [Turki bin Said]'s attempts to consolidate his power as Sultan 1868-1872, including threats from Sheikh Nazir and Azzan bin Qais, and his eventual recognition by the British Government in 1871. Also discussed are ideas for the final separation of Muscat and Zanzibar including possible ways of settling the outstanding question of the Zanzibar Subsidy.The situations at Gwadur [Gwadar] and Chabar [Chabahar] are also discussed in the correspondence, with particular focus on Sheikh Nazir and Abd'al Aziz al-Said, both of whom held the position of Governor of Gwadur during this time, and also Abd'al Aziz's attempts at taking control of Chabar.Affairs in the Persian Gulf are also discussed including the increase in trade in the region, the problems with the lack of available vessels of war; the handling of affairs in Bahrein [Bahrain] and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas]; appointments to vacant positions in the Gulf and also focusing on the Persian Famine in 1871 with thoughts on the need for relief, the sickness and suffering being experienced, the failure of the Persian Government to react quickly to the situation, the lack of available grain and the high prices of Indian grain for sale. The ongoing difficulty of relations with the Persian Government are also discussed, along with thoughts on the British representative at Tehran Charles Alison, and the desire for Persian relations to be handled by the Government of India instead of the Foreign Office.There is discussion on affairs in Kelat, including the Khan of Kelat's actions and relations with both local chiefs in Beloochistan [Baluchistan] and the British Government. The correspondence primarily focuses on the actions of Colonel Robert Phayre and Captain (later Major) Robert Sandeman who are both accused of meddling and interfering in the affairs of Kelat in direct violation of their orders, resulting in Phayre being removed from his position as Superintendent of Sind in 1871.News from Europe and Britain is also reported on, including the instability of the British Government 1869-1871 including attempts to remove Benjamin Disraeli from power in 1869 and the likely dissolution of William Gladstone's government in 1871 and the likelihood of a coalition government being formed; also reported on is the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the situation in Italy with regard to Venetia; the Alabama Claims brought by the Uinited States of America against the United Kingdom in 1869 and their resolution; and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 including its beginnings, thoughts on Otto von Bismark's strategy against Napoleon III, the situation in France post war and Adolphe Thiers as the new President of France.Other matters discussed in the correspondence include the work of Frederic John Goldsmid in attempting to resolve the Persian boundary dispute over Sistan; the challenge to the rulership of Najd between Abdalla ibn Faisal ibn Turki and Said ibn Faisal ibn Turki along with Turkish involvement in Wahhabi affairs; extensions of the telegraph at Chahabar; Henjam; Musandam and Jask in 1868; Sayyide Salme (later Emily Ruete)'s escape from Zanzibar to Aden on the British vessel Highflyer; and news of Hormuzd Rassam's journey to Abysinnia [Tanzania] to attempt to secure the release of hostages being held by the King of Abysinnia and his subsequent capture and imprisonment there.The cover sheet (folio 1) which was most likely written by a member of staff in the India Office in the 1920s, records that the file contains correspondence from Colonel Sir William Lockyer Merewether to Sir Lewis Pelly, 1867-1872, mostly written at Karachi. The cover sheet also notes that Merewether was Chief Commissioner of Sind 1868-1877 and a Member of the Council of India 1877-1880 and that he died in 1880.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated using a pencil number in the bottom right hand corner of the recto of each folio.
3. File 179/1917 ‘Persia: famine relief‘
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence and other papers relating to the famine that affected Persia [Iran] during the First World War (specifically the years 1917 and 1918) and attempts made by British officials in Persia to alleviate the effects of famine. The file includes: reports from British officials of famine conditions in Shiraz (from early 1917), Meshed [Mashhad] (January 1918) and Tehran (February 1918); speculation concerning the impact of British and Indian troops in Persia on food shortages; arrangements for the import of 1,000 tonnes of flour to Shiraz from India; the subsidy of bakers in Shiraz; discussion of how the costs of the relief effort should be split between the British and Indian Governments; food relief at Hamadan, including for Russian soldiers; relief at Ispahan [Isfahan] for Armenian refugees. Much of the correspondence makes clear the ‘valuable political effect that would result from extended relief work carried out under British auspices’ (f 82), that the British Government hoped could be obtained by it being seen to be helping a Persian population affected by famine. The file’s principal correspondents include: HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Tehran, Charles Murray Marling; the Foreign Office; HM Treasury.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (f 4).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 163; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.