Abstract: Correspondence concerning the Persian Government’s income tax law, its implementation, and likely income tax claims that will be made on British interests in Persia [Iran], including the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. The file includes multiple iterations of the new tax law (most in French), which was amended and augmented over time. The file’s principal correspondent is HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Robert Henry Clive, Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull-Hugessen, Horace James Seymour and Reader William Bullard.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 93; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Correspondence and other papers relating to the Persian Government’s annulment of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) concession in December 1932, and the ensuing diplomatic crisis between the two countries. The papers include: diplomatic exchanges between the British and Persian Governments and APOC, as reported by HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Tehran, Reginald Hervey Hoare; correspondence between the Foreign Office and India Office; parliamentary notices reporting questions on the crisis raised in the House of Commons; the response of the British press to the annulment, with a large number of newspaper cuttings from British newspapers (chiefly
The Times,
The Daily Herald,
The Morning Post); the British Government’s referral of the dispute to the Council of the League of Nations; the British Government’s despatch of Royal Naval vessels to Abadan; papers from the Council of the League of Nations reporting on negotiations towards a settlement, including notes, session minutes, and correspondence from the Czech representative to the League, Edvard Beneš, who acted as mediator between the two parties; the settlement of the dispute, culminating in a new agreement between the Persian Government and APOC, dated 29 April 1933 (ff 26-35).The volume includes numerous items in French (Persian Government correspondence and some press cuttings from the Persian Press) and a single item in German (a transcript of an article originally appearing the
Deutsche Bergwerks Zeitung).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 537; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.A number of pages have been bound into the volume upside down (ff 345-358).
Abstract: This file concerns the California Arabian Standard Oil Company's interest in erecting storage tanks at Jedda, which would involve making improvements to the harbour's navigational facilities in the process. The file features the following correspondents: the California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the India Office, the Foreign Office, and the Admiralty's Military Branch.Also included is a list of several other Political and Secret Department files, most of which appear to also relate to the construction or improvement of port facilities or infrastructure.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 8; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Correspondence and papers reporting on the activities of individuals and companies from the United States of America, seeking to gain oil concessions in Persia [Iran]. The majority of the file focuses on the activities of two US citizens, Charles Calmer Hart (a former US Minister to Iran) and the petroleum geologist Frederick Gardner Clapp, as well as the activities of the Amiranian Oil Company. The file includes copies of agreements and Persian (Iranian) Government bills (in French) relating to the granting of concessions, along with a map illustrating the extent of the concession (f 41). Correspondence from 1938 onwards reports on the withdrawal of the Amiranian Oil Company from Persia, and the renouncement of their concession (ff 2-19).The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 74; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in London, the Political Resident in Bushire and the Political Agent in Bahrain on the Hasa oil concession in Saudi Arabia, the negotiations of the Standard Oil Company of California for the oil concession in Hasa and the visit of Major Frank Holmes to Riyadh to meet Ibn Saud.The volume includes correspondence on the Saudi blockade against Kuwait, two copies of the Hasa oil agreement between the Standard Oil Company of California and the Saudi Arab Kingdom (folios 52-68 and 87-102) and correspondence on the application of the Standard Oil Company of California for permission to fly from Basra to Bahrain, which encountered resistence of the Political Resident in Bushire, against the presence of American companies in Bahrain (folios 121-123 and following).There is an index at the end of the volume (folios 212-223).Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil in the top right corner (between 44-82 the numbering can be found at the top centre of the recto). The numbering begins on the first page of text which follows 4 blank pages and terminates on the 5th folio from the back; at the rear of the volume there are 4 blank pages. Foliation errors: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e; 29, 29a and 29b; 137A and 137B; 159A and 159B; 169A and 169B; 171A and 171B; 179A and 179B.
Abstract: The volume contains minutes of meetings at Office of the Secretary of State for India in London, correspondence and telegrams between the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Adviser to the Bahrain Government, Charles Darlymple Belgrave, and Bahrain Petroleum Limited (BAPCO) representatives on the negotiations for the oil concession over the 'Bahrain additional area', which includes islands, reefs and shoals.The file contains copies of the 1934 deed of lease (folios 287-296 and 301-311) and of a draft of the supplemental lease of the additional area (folios 331-338).There are letters in Arabic to and from the Sheikh of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifah.There are notes at the end of the volume (folios 362-380).Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil and can be found in the top right. Between 362-384, these numbers are circled. The numbering commences at the front cover with 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E; then 2-32; 33a and 33b; 34-50; 51 is missing or omitted; 52-155; 156A and 156B and it carries on until 384, which is the last number given on the back cover of the volume.
Abstract: The file contains a confidential letter from Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) Chief Local Representative to the Adviser to the Government in Bahrain, Charles Darlymple Belgrave, on the water well on Jidda Island.There is an index (folio 3), referring to another item of correspondence missing from the file.Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil, in the top right corner. It begins at the first item of correspondence, on number 1, and runs through to 3, ending on the inside of the back cover of the file.
Abstract: The file contains a confidential letter from the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) representative on the drilling and completion of a water well at Jufair, named 'Water Well no. 4'. There is an index (folio 3).Physical description: The foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. The numbering begins on the front cover, on number 1, then 2A, 2B; and then it carries on until 4, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file.
Abstract: The file mainly contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Resident in Bushire, the Adviser to the Government in Bahrain, Charles Darlymple Belgrave, and representatives of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) on the use of water resources and on the drilling of water wells in Bahrain.There are diagrams and plans:'Sitra Island. G-R/1a (Parcel #19) to Halat - a strip of land for pipeline, telephone line and road purposes' (f. 43A);'Flow Tests Ain-Al-Raha' (f. 55A);'Reservation for Water Wells & Pumping Station' (2 copies on ff. 65A, 71A);'Mohamad Bin Rashid Bin Hindi's water well' (f. 105).There are letters in Arabic, to and from the Sheikh of Bahrain.There is an index at the end of the file (folios 151-161).Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins with the first page of writing, on number 1, then 2-42; 43, 43A; 44-54; 55, 55A; 56-64; 65,65A; 55-70; 71, 71A; 72-102; 103,103A; 104, 105, 106, 106A; 107-114; 115, 115A and then it carries on to 162, which is the last number given on the inside of the back cover of the file.
Abstract: Part 1 consists of correspondence relating to work connected to the Persian oil wells of the D'Arcy Syndicate, and Concessions Syndicate Ltd. The correspondence is between the Government of India, Foreign Office, India Office, and representatives of both oil companies. Included as enclosures are letters, telegrams, and memoranda from the following:British Minister to Persia;British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire;the Persian Prime Minister (Mushir-ed-Dowleh);Political Resident in Turkish Arabia and Consul-General at Baghdad;Lieutenant-Colonel David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer, Vice-Consul in Arabistan, at Ahwaz;Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, at Bushire;John Richard Preece, British Consul-General at Isfahan, acting on behalf of Concessions Syndicate Ltd;George B Reynolds, geologist for Concessions Syndicate Ltd;William Knox D'Arcy, representative of both oil companies;Thomas Jackson, Director of Imperial Bank of Persia.Several matters are covered by the papers, including:Arthur Henry Hardinge's tour of D'Arcy's Persian oil wells in January 1904;status of oil production of the wells;the question of who is to receive the oil concessions;the companies' needs for financial and administrative assistance from the Indian and British governments;an agreement reached between the Syndicate and the leaders of the Bakhtiari tribes;the question of guarding the wells;the need for land for reservoirs and a refinery and the arrangements for the purchase of such on Abadan Island, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr];the question of expanding production into Pusht-i-Kuh;the need for telegraphic services in the region;proposals for a pipeline to the coast.Folio 251 is a sketch plan of Abadan Island showing the location of the land required by the Syndicate.Physical description: 1 item (109 folios)
Abstract: Part 3 consists of correspondence relating to an agreement between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and Shaikh Khazal-Bin-Jaber [Khaz‘al bin Jābir bin Mirdāw al-Ka‘bī] of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]. The correspondence is mostly between the Government of India (Foreign Department), Foreign Office, and India Office. Included as enclosures are letters, telegrams, and memoranda from the following:Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary;British Minister to Persia, Tehran;representatives of Anglo-Persian Oil Company;Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf;Shaikh Khazal of Mohammerah;Messrs Lloyd, Scott, and Co., agents of Anglo-Persian Oil Company in Mohammerah;Persian government officials;Arnold Talbot Wilson, Acting Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia.Several matters are covered by the papers, including:the negotiations over a loan to Shaikh Khazal by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for the use of land on Abadan Island for an oil refinery;the question of what is to be done with company buildings on the island when the concession period ends;the nature of Shaikh Khazal's rights to the land in question;the Persian Government's exceptions to some of the terms of the agreement;the question of guards for the refinery and who will pay for them.Physical description: 1 item (168 folios)
Abstract: The file comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to the calibration and measurement of the oil storage tanks of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited in order to assess royalties due to the lessors.Included in the file is a technical plan: 'Diagram of Sitra Terminal Tank Link-Up' (folio 38).The principal correspondents in the file are: an official of the India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite); the Political Agent, Bahrain; and Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (Hamilton R Ballantyne).The file 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.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 178; 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.