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1. 'Persia: Memorandum Respecting the Revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907'
- Description:
- 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.
2. ‘File 28/1 K I Defence of oil field and refinery’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence, memoranda and reports relating to the military defence of Bahrain’s oil refineries and oil fields during the Second World War. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent in Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban); the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) (John S Black; Roger Anthony Kennedy; Milton H Lipp; Ward P Anderson).The file includes:a copy of ‘General Instructions for the Defence Organisation of the Bahrain Petroleum Company’, dated December 1939 (ff 9-52), with sections focusing on: 1) the internal and external areas of the refinery; 2) the personnel camps at Awali and Zellaq; 3) fields and wells; information on inventories of equipment, and specific instructions for patrols and guards;correspondence from BAPCO representatives to the Political Agent relating to: the perceived threat to Bahrain and to Company property, and defensive measures to be taken; assessments of the threat of internal sabotage, local uprisings, bombardment from sea or air (ff 68-71); questions of responsibility for and efficacy of defensive measures being taken in Bahrain; questions of the legal aspects (liability, compensation, War Risk Insurance) of damage to Company property from enemy attack, and volunteers who become casualties while defending Company property, including printed copies of the Gazetteer of India War Injuries Ordinance, No. VII of 1941 (ff 235-237) and the War Injuries (Amendment) Ordinance, No. I of 1942 (ff 238-249);correspondence exchanged, and the notes and minutes of meetings held between senior Government officials (including the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Air Vice Marshal at Air Headquarters in Iraq) on the provision of resources for the defence of Bahrain, including discussion of the availability and use of manpower supplied by BAPCO;a number of monthly progress reports in 1941 on the Bahrain defence scheme, prepared by the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf (ff 143-144, ff 146-147, ff 162-164, ff 177-179), referring to: defence force recruitment; the volunteer defence force; general morale and attitude of recruits; equipment supplies; anti-aircraft defence measures;in 1941, plans for the control of telephone exchanges and lines during emergencies, with lists of telephone links to be maintained during an emergency (ff 182-183);plans and proposals for the protection of BAPCO property in the event of enemy action, including: in 1942, BAPCO proposals for the protection of the oil field in case it falls into enemy hands, by the sealing of wells with concrete (ff 270-294); a military report on Passive Air Defence (PAD) at the BAPCO refinery, dated 28 April 1942, focussing chiefly on plans to construct protective sheathing around the refinery tanks (ff 304-323).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 342; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 3-341; these numbers are also written in pencil, 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.
3. ‘File 28/1 K III Defence of oil field & refinery’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence, memoranda and other papers, many marked ‘Most Secret’, relating to plans for the defence and emergency demolition (‘oil denial’) of oil fields and refineries operated by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) in Bahrain, and the subsequent abandonment of these defence and emergency demolition plans as events in the Second World War reduced the threat of attacks by Axis powers on oil installations in the Persian Gulf. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent in Bahrain (Edward Birkbeck Wakefield); the Chief Local Representative for BAPCO (Ward P Anderson); members of the Corps of Royal Engineers and the British Tenth Army. The file is a direct chronological continuation of ‘File 28/1 K II Defence of oil field and refinery’ (IOR/R/15/2/662).The file includes:correspondence relating to proposals for an oil denial scheme at the oil refineries owned by the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) in Saudi Arabia (ff 2-4);correspondence related to the ongoing construction of Passive Air Defences (PAD) at the BAPCO refinery in Bahrain, chiefly in the form of protective brick sheathing for oil tanks, and blast- and firewalls (f 37, f 87), and the costs of the programme (ff 21-22, ff 52-53, ff 62-64, ff 112-113); a ‘Report on PAD works at Bahrain Island, 1942-1943’, written by Major S Hills, Royal Engineers (ff 149-157);correspondence relating to the progress of the oil denial scheme in Bahrain, including: revisions to the scheme (ff 5-6); updates on the status of secured wells (f 9); enrolment and training into the British military of BAPCO personnel (ff 17-18) and liability in the event of injury/death, including a copy of extracts from the ‘Royal Warrant for the Retired Pay and Pensions, etc., of members of the Military Forces disabled’ (ff 40-44); extension of the denial scheme to Sitrah and Zellaq (f 34);correspondence in early 1943 relating to the decision to ‘round off’ PAD work in Bahrain, and to stand down the oil denial demolition scheme, as a result of the perceived reduction of the threat to Allied oil installations in the Persian Gulf (f 85, f 115, f 117);correspondence in July 1943 relating to the risks posed to oil facilities by an attack from an enemy submarine, after an ‘incident’ off the Oman coast (f 127);correspondence in 1943 relating to camouflage measures at the oil refinery, and the ‘oiling’ of roofs and certain landscape features to prevent aerial recognition (ff 137-140);in the latter half of 1943, correspondence relating to requests from BAPCO to rehabilitate those oil wells that were temporarily decommissioned (or ‘plugged’) as part of the oil denial scheme (ff 158-171).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 211; 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 2-186; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
4. ‘File 28/35 Defence of Qatar’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file, while entitled ‘Defence of Qatar’, chiefly concerns the issue of six rifles and 1,200 rounds of small arms ammunition (SAA) to British personnel employed by Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) in Qatar during the war. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban) and the Manager of PCL at Bahrain (Ernest Vincent Packer).The file includes:correspondence relating to a report, entitled an ‘Appreciation of the Defence of Qatar against tribal attack and sabotage’ prepared by staff at Air HQ in Iraq, and sent to the Political Resident on 6 February 1939 (f 2). A copy of the report is not included in the file, however, the Political Agent at Bahrain’s comments on the report are (ff 3-5);a copy of a report prepared by the Air Liaison Officer at Bahrain (R Coates) in July 1939, being a reconnaissance of possible landing grounds and flying boat mooring areas at Dohat-es-Zekrit [Zikrīt] (ff 11-12);correspondence dated September 1939, relating to protection for British personnel working on the Qatar oil field, and a request by the Political Agent at Bahrain to the Air Officer Commanding at Bahrain, for six rifles and SAA to be loaned to PCL’s British employees in Qatar (ff 13-19). Later correspondence, dated June and July 1941, details the eventual receipt of the rifles and ammunition by PCL (f 21, f 26), a rifle register (f 28), and a note written by the PCL Manager, describing the poor condition of the rifles (f 32);correspondence dated July 1939, relating to PCL’s plans to close down their operations in Qatar and the Trucial Coast, including: copies of letters from the Political Agent in Bahrain to the Rulers of Qatar and the Trucial Coast, informing them of PCL’s closure of operations (ff 47-54); the return of the six rifles and ammunition to the Defence Officer in the Persian Gulf (Major H T Hewitt), the latter’s complaint at the poor condition of the rifles, and the PCL Manager’s response that the rifles had been received in poor condition (ff 57-59).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 75; 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 1-74; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
5. Letter (Secret No. 27) from Austen Chamberlain to Charles Hardinge, Governor General of India in Council, with enclosures
- Description:
- Abstract: The memorandum consists of a copy of a letter from Austen Chamberlain to the Governor General of India and its enclosures. The purpose of the letter being to forward recent discussion — within the British Government — concerning the defence of the oil fields and pipelines of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in Persia.The enclosures (folios 69-71) consist of various communications between the India Office and the following Government departments: the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Foreign Office. Annexed to enclosure no. 5 is a copy of the 'Report of Departmental Committee on the Defence of the Persian Oil-fields, &c' (see folios 69v-71). This report briefly outlines the arrangements between the British and both the Bakhtiari Khans and the Shaikh of Mohammerah for the protection of the oil fields. It also outlines the measures to be taken to increase their immediate defence, and further measures to be taken in the event of war threatening them.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 68, and terminates at f 71, 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: the item also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
6. File 3516/1914 Pt 11 'Persia: protection of Anglo-Persian Oil Co's fields etc'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns the situation in Persia during the First World War. The main focus is the protection of Anglo-Persian Oil Company's (APOC) oilfields and pipelines in south-western Persia.The volume covers:Defence of APOC property.Notes on oilfields in Arabistan [Khuzestan].Water supply of the oilfields.Creation of Inter-departmental Committee on the Defence of the Persian Oil Fields and its report (ff 230-235).Despatch of a small force to defend the oilfields in 1917.Acquiring British control over the oilfields.King's Regulation impeding to leave APOC without the consent of the Consul General for Fars, for the period of the war (f 110).Providing a guard for APOC's oilfields at Maidan-i-Neptun.Military training for European APOC employees.The volume’s principal correspondents are: John Nixon, General Officer Commanding, India Expeditionary Force 'D', Basrah; Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Thomas William Holderness and Arthur Hirtzel, India Office; William Graham Greene, Oswyn Murray and Edmond John Warre Slade, Admiralty; Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe and Maurice de Bunsen, Foreign Office; Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for India; Anglo-Persian Oil Company; Charles Marling, British Minister at Tehran; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf.There are three maps within the file, 'Map A' (2 copies) on folios 264 and 271, and 'Part of River Karun' on folio 265.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 273; 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 3-272; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
7. File 3516/1914 Pt 12 'German War: Persia; Bakhtiari and Bawi affairs'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns the situation in Persia during the First World War. The main focus is securing cordial relations with the Bakhtiari to ensure security for British trade.The volume covers:Proposed grant of British honours to two Bakhtiari khans, Sirdar Assad and Sirdar Jang.Proposed matrimonial alliance between Sheikh of Mohammerah and Bahktiaris.Proposal to subsidize Bakhtiari Khans.Proposal to guarantee local autonomy to Bakhtiaris in event of dissolution of Persia.Attitude of Bakhtiari Khans.Letters from Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) staff regarding German intrigues among Bakhtiari and other tribes of southern Persia.Payment of a subsidy to Bakhtiari Khans.Measures for protecting APOC's property in Arabistan [Khuzestan].Proposed subsidy to the Bawi tribe.Arab raids to APOC's parties.The volume’s principal correspondents are: Walter Beaupre Townley and Charles Marling, British Ministers at Tehran; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; George Buchanan, British Ambassador in Russia; Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe and Walter Langley, Foreign Office; J G L Ranking, British Consul at Ahwaz; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf; Thomas William Holderness, Lionel Abrahams and Arthur Hirtzel, India Office; Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Anglo-Persian Oil Company.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 162; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
8. File 3516/1914 Pt 5 'German War: Persia; situation in Arabistan 1915'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns events that happened in southern Persia and in the territories of the Shatt al-Arab, during the First World War. The main focus is the protection of oilfields.The volume covers:The Arab movement in Mesopotamia.Possible despatch of troops to the Kārun river and to Ahwaz [Ahvāz, Iran], to protect the oilfields.Spreading of the jihad movement amongst Arab tribes, seceding from Sheikh of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran].Withdrawal of British subjects from Ahwaz.Pipeline and telegraph line damaged by Bawi tribe near Ahwaz.Sheikh of Mohammerah's defeat of the Bawi tribe, in February 1915.German intrigues, and the arrest and deportation of the former German Consul at Bushire and of German agents.Russian defeat of Turkish forces at Dilman, Azerbaijan, in March 1915.Turkish occupation of Kasr-i-Shirin.Movements of German agents; protest of Persian Government against.Evacuation of British and Russians from Kerman.The volume’s principal correspondents are: Thomas William Holderness and Arthur Hirtzel, India Office; Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe, Foreign Office; Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Walter Beaupre Townley and Charles Marling, British Ministers at Tehran; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Strick, Scott and Co; Anglo-Persian Oil Company.There is a letter in French within the file, from the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 198; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
9. File 3516/1914 Pt 6 'German War: Persia; general situation May-July 1915'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns events that happened in Persia and Balochistan, during the First World War. The main focus is measures to be taken in the event of Persia entering the War against Great Britain.The volume covers:Advice of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf on measures to be taken in Balochistan, in order to form alliances with the rulers (Khans) and maintain a British Protectorate after the war.Recommendations of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf on reinforcing British troops at Bushire.Situation in Tehran, and the arrest at Bushire of the German Consul, Listemann.Offering of so-called 'bribes' to the Bakhtiari tribe and to other tribes in Arabistan, to convince them to support the British.Despatch of Russian troops in northern Persia, at Enzeli [Bandar Anzali, Iran], and Resht [Rasht, Iran].Assassination of Alexandre Kaver, Russian Vice-Consul and Manager of the Russian Bank at Isfahan.Situation at Kermanshah; withdrawal of the British Consul for Hamadan and evacuation by British and Russians.Translations of telegrams from the Persian Foreign Ministry regarding the War.German plot in Persia, led by the German Consul at Shiraz, Herr Wassmuss, with support of the Swedish gendarmerie.Protest of Persian Government against British military operations in Arabistan.Naval measures for the defence of Persian Gulf ports.Arrival of Russian troops in Isfahan, centre of German activities in Persia.Notes on the political situation in Persia by Vice-Admiral Edmond Slade.Attack on Anglo-Persian Oil Company's British employees drilling on the Island of Kishm [Qeshm, Iran].Resignation of Persian Cabinet on 3 July 1915; difficulties in the formation of a new cabinet.The volume’s principal correspondents are: Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Thomas William Holderness and Arthur Hirtzel, India Office; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf; Walter Gordon Neale, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf; Walter Beaupre Townley and Charles Marling, British Ministers at Tehran; W MacDouall, British Consul for Kermanshah; G Grahame, British Consul-General at Isfahan, Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe, Foreign Office; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; John Nixon, General Officer Commanding, Force 'D', Basrah; the Admiralty; Imperial Bank of Persia; Anglo-Persian Oil Company; Strick, Scott and Co.There is a newspaper cutting, from The Times.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 239; 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 3-237; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
10. File 3516/1914 Pt 8 'German War: Persia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns the situation in Persia during the First World War. The main focus is the plan for the British occupation of Bushire.The volume covers:Measures to be taken at the Persian Gulf Ports in case of armed intervention against Persia, issued by the Admiralty to the Commander-in-Chief for East Indies.German activities;.Relations between Persia and the 'Entente Powers': appeal of Persian Government to French Government for support and withdrawal of British and Russian forces from Persia.Plans for occupation of Bushire.Plans to dispatch troops from Force 'D'.Relations with Haidar Khan, chief of Hayat Daoud [Ḥayāt-dāwudi] tribe.Censorship of Persian mails from Bushire and Bandar Abbas.Proposed deportation to India of Governor of Gulf Ports.Evacuation of British Consul and community from Shiraz.Attack on British Consul at Isfahan.Relations with Persian Government.Proposed ultimatum to Persian Government, rejected to protect the Anglo-Persian Oil Company pipeline.Restoration of Persian authority at Bushire and termination of British occupation in September 1915.Imperial Bank of Persia's report on the political situation in Bushire (ff 16-18).The volume’s principal correspondents are: William Graham Greene and W F Nicholson, Admiralty; Charles Marling, British Minister at Tehran; Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Thomas William Holderness and Arthur Hirtzel, India Office; Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe and Maurice de Bunsen, Foreign Office; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf; Arthur Prescott Trevor, Officer on Special Duty in the Persian Gulf; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; the Persian Foreign Minister; Alfred Hamilton Grant, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India; Imperial Bank of Persia.There are documents in French, from the French Embassy in London.There is a map within the file, showing ' Tribal districts between Arabistan and Bushire' (folio 135).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 215; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
11. File 3516/1914 Pt 9 'German War: Persia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume concerns the situation in Persia during the First World War. The main focus is the British occupation of Bushire.The volume covers:Instructions regarding Bakhtiari.Movements of Wassmuss and German agents in Persia.Situation in Bushire, at Isfahan, at Urumia [Urmia, Iran], and at Tehran.Attitude of Persian Prime Minister.Arrival of Russian troops at Enzeli [Bandar-e Anzali, Iran].Murder of British Vice-Consul at Shiraz.Attacks on British Consuls at Isfahan and Kangavar, and on Consulate officials at Shiraz.Situation at Anglo-Persian Oil Company oilfields.Activities of German Vice-Consul at Sultanabad.German activity at Kermanshah.German sending gold to Persia, to outbid Anglo-Russian financial assistance.Extract of Imperial Bank of Persia's report on German occupation of Kermanshah.The volume’s principal correspondents are: Charles Marling, British Minister at Tehran; British Consuls at Meshed, Sistan and Kain, Kerman, Isfahan, Khorasan, Kermanshah; Arthur Prescott Trevor, Officer on Special Duty in the Persian Gulf; Percy Cox, Political Resident in Persian Gulf; John Nixon, General Officer Commanding, India Expeditionary Force 'D', Basrah; Charles Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Alfred Hamilton Grant, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India; Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for India; George Buchanan, British Ambassador in Russia; Imperial Bank of Persia; Shaikh Hussein of Chahkutah and Rais Ali of Dilwar [Rais Ali Delvari].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 307; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.