Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department and the Under Secretary of State at the India Office in London, Sir Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time), the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait, the Vice-Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding contacts with local rulers about oil concessions in Bahrain and Kuwait.The file also contains:copy of a letter from the Political Resident to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated 8 September 1921, on oil explorations in the various Persian Gulf states, and on APOC's desire to exclusive prospective rights in Oman (folios 11-13);draft agreement between the rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait and D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited for oil explorations (1921 ca.) (folios 22-27, 102-107 and 257-260);notes concerning meetings of Major Frank Holmes with Ibn Saud re oil exploration in Arabia [Saudi Arabia] (folio 80)letter from the Political Agent at Muscat to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding oil in Muscat (folios 96-97).The file is incomplete. Some letters, mainly containing pledges signed by Trucial Coast rulers not to grant any oil concession to anyone except with the permission of the British Government, were removed from the original file and forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953. In these instances the former numbering sequence presents gaps, and these letters are replaced by folios indicating page numbers, sender, receiver, date and subject of the letter removed. These letters are now in FO 371/7723 and FO 371/104408.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil in encircled numbers in top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering starts on the front cover with 1 and carries on until 153, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file. A former sequence runs from the first to the last folio of writing, pencil numbers (not circled) in top right recto of each folio, not crossed through - the numbering runs 1-260 missing numerous numbers out. The reason is that some letters were removed from the original file to be forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953, whereas the former numbering sequence presents gaps.
Abstract: Memorandum outlining developments in the suppression of the trade in arms in the Persian Gulf from 1908-28.Covering:introduction to arms traffic in Muscat, and the reduction in arms traffic in the Gulf as a whole;treaty engagements, etc., of states bordering on the Persian Gulf – including Persia, Bahrein [Bahrain], Koweit [Kuwait], the Trucial Coast, Turkey, and Muscat;the Arms Traffic Convention of 1919 and 1925 – the effect of the First World War, and objections of Persia to being classified as a prohibited area for the purpose of arms traffic;arms traffic in the Gulf, 1908-1919 – the suppression of arms traffic from Muscat in 1912, and agreements with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd];arms traffic in the Gulf, 1919-1928 – conference held at Karachi in August 1921 concerning the danger of revival in the arms trade, and recommendations to combat this;summary.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 71, and terminates at f 72, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file contains a letter from the British Ministry at Jedda to the Foreign Office, informing them that Ibn Saud had asked for assistance in preventing destitute Yemenis and Hadramis from entering Saudi Arabia, requesting that only subjects with means of subsistence be admitted.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 3; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Shows the location of tribes that dwelled in the Trucial States area with names reported. Names of tribes under authority of the Muscat state are double underlined in red.Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink on paperDimensions:340 x 433 mm
Abstract: The volume records a dispute between the Ruler of Nejd [Najd] and dependencies and the Ruler of Bahrain [occasionally also referred to in the papers as Bahrein] over the imposition by the Ruler of Bahrain of a charge of 5% customs duty (previously 2.5%) on goods destined for Nejd and Hassa [Hasa] even when those goods did not leave the Customs House at Bahrain and find their way into Bahrain itself. The dispute resulted in intervention by British officials and the Government of India.The papers include correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain (Major Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), the Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Prescott Trevor), Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], Ruler of Nejd and dependencies, Sheikh Isa [Sheikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, Hakim of Bahrain], Ruler of Bahrain, and other British officials. The correspondence between the two rulers and the Political Agent, Bahrain is in both Arabic and English.The papers include:correspondence concerning the dispute dated February - May 1920, including letter from the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Deputy Political Resident in the Persian Gulf dated 28 February 1920 setting out both sides of the dispute and commenting in favour of Bin Saud's claim;correspondence dated July - September 1920 concerning Sheikh Isa's acceptance of the British decision that only 2% duty should be charged on transit goods consigned to the mainland, provided that those goods were removed from the Bahrain Customs House within twenty days of landing;correspondence dated November 1920 - February 1921 concerning complaints by Bin Saud that the new customs regulations were not being administered in a friendly spirit, particularly in relation to piece-goods.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation system commences at 1 on the sixth folio after the front cover (the first bearing any text) and terminates at 127 on the sixth folio before the back cover (the last bearing any text). The numbers are written in blue crayon and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio, except that the folios that need to be folded out to be read have their folio number in blue crayon on the fold, and again in pencil in the same place as the main sequence. The following folios need to be folded out to be read: ff. 11, 32, 68, 82, 84, 89, 92, 120, 121, 127.
Abstract: This is a printed memorandum by the Political Intelligence Department of the Foreign Office concerning British commitments to Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)] in the context of the First World War. The memorandum gives an overview of British and Turkish relations, including various treaties with Ibn Saud between 1913 and 1916, as well as 'Relation of Commitments to Bin Saud to British Disiderata', including 'Demarcation of Territories', 'Keeping of the Peace' and 'Dynastic Guarantee'. There is an appendix (folio 129) which includes the text of the treaty of 26 December 1915 signed by Ibn Saud and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 122 and terminates at folio 129, 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 11-158; 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 file contains a historical memorandum written in response to claims advanced by Ibn Saud to ancestral rights on the eastern boundary of the Saudi Kingdom, and to suggestions put forward by him that at some period in the past arrangements were entered into with his ancestors, the Wahabi Amirs, by representatives of the British Government, which afforded some recognition of those claims. The memorandum was written by John Gilbert Laithwaite, India Office, and is a revised edition of a document published on 1 September 1934.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 32; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum traces the first development of the Wahabi [Wahhabi] sect, 1745-1800; the first expansion of the Wahabis in eastern Arabia to the fall of Baraimi and the Turkish occupation of Hasa, 1800-71; the period from the Turkish conquest of Hasa to the capture of Riyadh by Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥman bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], 1870-1901; the period from the capture of Riyadh by Ibn Saud to the outbreak of World War One, 1901-14; and the period from the outbreak of World War One to the opening of the Blue Line discussions, 1914-34; and also contains a conclusion and appendices.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 36 on the back cover. These numbers are written in pencil, are enclosed in a circle, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 2, 2A, 2B, 2C. The following folio needs to be folded out: f. 31. An original printed pagination sequence is also present in the volume.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the considerations of British representation in El Hasa [Al Hasa] and Qatif from 1904, with suggestions put forward by the Government of India and Sir Lionel Haworth, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It includes the reasons behind the need for representation, and the implications of relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd].Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 64, 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: This printed memorandum is entitled 'Notes on the "Akhwan" [Ikhwān] Movement' by Major Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, which he compiled following his 1920 visit to ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud) at al-Hasa (al-Aḥsā’).The note contains the following sections:I: 'General', including '(a) Authorities' and '(b) Nature of the Movement';II: 'A Short History of Akhwanism', including a note on 'Prayer';III: 'Beliefs';IV: 'Other Customs, Observances and Beliefs among Akhwan';V: System of Bin Sa’ud's Government and its Connection with the Akhwan;', including 'Administration', 'Judicial', 'Military', 'Revenue'.Dickson notes his authorities from whom information was gathered as: Ibn Saud himself; ’Abdul Aziz Al Qusaibi [‘Abd al-‘Azīz al-Quṣaybī]; Fahad Al Bassam [Fahad al-Bassām]; Sulaiman Al Hawwas [Sulaymān Āl Ḥawwās]; Ibrahim bin Juma’ [Ibrāhīm bin Juma‘], Ibn Saud's confidential servant; members of Dickson's personal guard; Muhammad Effendi (Kurd), Treasury Officer to Bin Juluwi [‘Abdullāh bin Jilūwī]; and a member of the movement. The note also includes a list (folio 107v) of new towns (
hijar) that have arisen in Najd under the movement.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this memorandum commences at folio 105, and terminates at folio 107, 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.
Abstract: This note gives a very short history of Central Arabia in thirteen paragraphs. Details are given concerning the history of Nejd [Najd], the rise and spread of the Wahhabi movement, and the Āl Sa‘ūd family and their relations with their neighbours, including the Āl Rashīd family, the Hashemite rulers of the Hejaz, Oman and the Ottoman Empire, as well as Britain. Further details are given concerning the ruler Imam Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Faisal Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the signing of a treaty between him and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox in 1916.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 82, and terminates at folio 82, 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.
Abstract: This printed memorandum is a report prepared by the General Staff, War Office, dated 31 Aug 1918. It is a summary of the Hejaz [al-Ḥijāz] Revolt (commonly referred to as the Arabic Revolt) in the context of the First World War, covering the period June 1916 to December 1918. The memorandum is marked 'Secret' and 'This Document is the Property of H.B.M. Government' (folio 75).The summary contains an index (folio 76) with the following chronological sections: 'Narrative of events from June 1916 to December 1916'; ''Narrative of events from January 1917 to November 1917'; 'Narrative of events of December 1917 and summary of the situation at the end of 1917'; 'Narrative of events during January and February 1918'; 'Narrative of events during March and April 1918'; 'Narrative of events during April and May 1918'; 'Narrative of events during June 1918'; 'Narrative of events during July 1918'; and 'Narrative of events during August 1918 and summary of the situation up till the end of August 1918'.There is also a list of appendices on the same folio which includes: 'A: King Hussein' [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī]; 'B: Ibn Saud' [Ābd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd]; 'C: Ibn Rashid' [Sa‘ūd bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Rashīd]; 'D: The Jemal Pasha' [Aḥmad Jamāl Bāshā]; 'E: Maurice's Report'; 'F: Enemy political activity'; 'G: Zionist movement'; 'H: Turkish interposition between main British and Arab forces'; 'K: Koweit [Kuwait] blocked'; 'L: Attitude of Norther Arabian tribes towards Hejaz revolt'; 'M: Fakhri Pasha [Fakhrī Bāshā or Fakhr al-Dīn Bāshā] at Medina'; 'N and O: Enemy casualties and Turkish troops'. A map is noted below the list of appendices but is not present.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f.75. and terminates at f.89, 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.11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.