Abstract: The file deals with the dissemination in Bahrain of publicity and propaganda material in support of the British and allied cause at the start of the Second World War (1939-45). Most of the information originated with the Ministry of Information in London. The file also contains information on the response of British officials to broadcasts in the region by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and the support given to the allied side by the Ruler and people of Bahrain.The principal correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (principally, Major Charles Geoffrey Prior); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); the Ministry of Information (which is often referred to in the correspondence as MINIF or MINIFORM); the Information Office, Aden; the India Office; and the Government of India.The papers cover: the selection of Bahrain as the publicity distributing centre for the Arab side of the Gulf, and the appointment of a publicity interpreter at Bahrain, who would also undertake intelligence duties (folios 2-6); India Office telegram explaining the principles adopted as the basis of British publicity abroad (folios 8-9); Arabic broadcasts by the BBC, including comments on the service, many of them critical, by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Prior), and the Political Agent, Bahrain; discussion of the format and publication of the Arabic language
Al Bahrainnewspaper (e.g. folios 29-30); numerous reports from the Ministry of Information on political, military and economic developments in the war (including contradictions of German propaganda), which were then recast in Bahrain and translated for publication in the newspaper
Al Bahrain; the suggested use of loudspeakers to broadcast a daily Arabic news bulletin (e.g. folios 36-37); official reports forwarded to Bahrain by the India Office (e.g.
Papers concerning the Treatment of German Nationals in Germany, 1938-1939(London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1939) (folios 221-238); covering letters for pamphlets of war interest sent by the Political Agency, Bahrain to the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) for the use of employees of the company (e.g. folio 266); the support of the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], for the allied cause (e.g. folios 251, 253); the assessment of public opinion on the war in Bahrain and the Trucial Coast (e.g. folios 279, 281, and 348); and newspaper cuttings used for publicity purposes (folios 313-319).The Arabic language content of the papers consists of approximately fifteen folios of publicity material and correspondence.The date range gives the covering dates of the correspondence; the last dated additions to the file are notes on a couple of the documents dated 29 November 1939.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 405; 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 2-395; 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.
Abstract: The file contains an exchange of confidential correspondence, following Arab press reports of a new friendship treaty between the Sheikhs of Bahrain and the British Government. The correspondence is mainly between Meredith Worth (Officiating Political Agent, Bahrain), Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch (Acting Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Government of Bahrain).The correspondence discusses claims made in 1934 by Bahraini subject Ali bin Salim that Britain and Bahrain were negotiating a new 25 year treaty which would recognise the independence of Bahrain under the sovereignty of the existing ruling family, the Al Khalifah Sheikhs of Bahrain. The Baghdad newspapers
Al Akhaand
Al-Iraqpublished both Ali bin Salim’s treaty claims and a repudiation by Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin ‘Isa al-Khalifah, brother of the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad. Ali bin Salim was later identified as Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan, Secretary of the Manama Municipal Council.The correspondence also discusses the subsequent fraud investigation against Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan, including an examination of import records obtained from the Director of Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain as evidence; his conviction for misappropriation of public funds by Sheikh Sulman in the Bahrain Court; his six months’ imprisonment and subsequent release.The file also includes English translations of the following items in Arabic: a letter from Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifah (Ruler of Bahrain) to his brother Sheikh Muhammad (President of the Manama Municipal Council) dismissing Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan from his post as Secretary to the Council (f.17); an independent valuation of imported goods that Ali bin Hussain al Khalfan had purchased with public funds (f.34); three Arabic newspaper articles (ff.2, 4, 12).Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 52 in pencil in the top right hand corner. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.52). The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains three items of confidential correspondence (reference numbers 127/5/48; S.O. No.C/L-203; D.O.No.C/305-9A) between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain; Cornelius James Pelly (Political Agent, Bahrain) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Bahrain Government).At the request of the Resident, Pelly investigated the recent distribution and sale of the newspaper
al-Arabin Bahrain, by local bookseller Salman Kamal, at first mistakenly identified as Ibrahim bin Mohammed. Pelly sought the advice of Belgrave.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 5 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the first file enclosure (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.5). The front file cover is not foliated.
Abstract: The file contains confidential dispatch no.239 dated 25 July 1934 from Mr A.S. Calvert (chargé d’affaires, British Legation, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) to Sir John Simon (British Foreign Secretary, Foreign Office, London). Calvert also sent copies of his dispatch to the Viceroy of India and to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire. The Political Resident forwarded a copy of the dispatch to the Political Agent, Bahrain, for information, on 25 August 1934.In his dispatch, Calvert both discussed and enclosed an English translation of an article published in the Mecca newspaper Saut al Hejaz, issue no.117 dated 23 July 1943. The article claimed that an updated treaty of friendship had been concluded between Great Britain and Sheikh Hamad Ibn ‘Isa of Bahrain, with the help of the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It was also claimed that the alleged new treaty supported the development of a national alliance of Arab sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf, referring to them as Emirates.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 5 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f 1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f 5).
Abstract: This file consists of correspondence between British officials in Iraq and the Persian Gulf discussing Arabic language newspaper extracts and articles on the British presence in the Middle East. Most of the papers discuss ways of countering or restricting the circulation of anti-British, anti-colonial material arriving in the Persian Gulf region from elsewhere in the Arab world. The majority of the Arabic newspaper clippings is from Iraqi newspapers, and includes coverage of the Arab cause in Palestine during the approximately concurrent Arab Revolt in Palestine that took place between 1936 and 1939. Other sources of Arabic nationalist material include newspaper articles from Egypt and Syria.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 372; 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 3-370; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 47 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 22 April-13 May 1856.The enclosures comprise copies of despatches sent by Richard W Stevens, HM Consul in Tehran, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copies of which are forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Government of India. The despatches chiefly relate to the Persian [Iranian] military campaign against Herat, notably:Intelligence that the Persian Army of Prince Sultan Moorad Meerza [Prince Sulṭān Murād Mīrzā] defeated the Heratees in a battle at Ghorian [Ghurian] which is now garrisoned by the Persian ArmyThe apparent plan of the Shah [Shāh] of Persia to also conquer Kandahar [also spelled Candahar in this item] where there is purported opposition to Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and the order of a detachment of Persian troops to Kandahar via Seistan [Sistan]Unverified intelligence received from the news-writer at Meshed [Mashhad] that the brother of the Ruler of Herat, Mahommed Youssuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf], and Essau Khan [ʻĪsá Khān], the anti-Persian vizier of Herat, have arranged terms of surrender with Sultan Moorad MeerzaIntelligence received from an Italian officer (ff 395-396) whose brother is attached to the Persian Army of Herat, alleging: Essau Khan’s defection to the Persians; the surrender of Herat due to scarcity of provisions; the garrisoning of Herat on the orders of the Shah; the poor condition of the Persian Army; and the agreement of the Heratees to all of Persia’s terms apart from the permanent occupation of Herat. (The copy of the original intelligence is in Italian, with an English translation. A duplicate of the Italian letter and translation is in IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 426-436, ff 430-432)Intelligence brought to Tehran by the post-master of Semnaan [Semnan] claiming that Persian regular troops had entered Herat, the postponement of celebrations in Tehran following reports that the news was false, and punishment of the messengerReports in Tehran that Essau Khan in fact discovered Mahommed Youssuf in secret talks with the Persian Commander, ousted him in a coup, expelled him to the Persian camp ironically offering him as peeshkesh [peshkash, a fine or a present to the ruling authority on receiving an appointment or assignment of revenue], and did not surrender to the Persians.The item also covers the following matters:Russia’s expression of friendship for Persia by withdrawal of protection to the family of a Russian subject who died in Persia last year owing the Persian Government half a million tomansThe Persian prime minister’s intention to spread anti-English propaganda, in Bokhara [Bukhara], Khiva and Afghanistan, following the Ottoman Sultan’s firman placing his ‘non-Mussulman’ [non-Muslim] subjects on equal footing with ‘Mahommedans’ [Muslims] (referring to the Treaty of Paris March 1856 in which an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, France and Sardinia ended the Crimean War with Russia)Intelligence from Asterabad [Gorgan] of the murder of the Khan of Khiva by a group of Turcomans [Turkmen] of the Yamoot [Yomut] tribe, and fighting between Yamoots and Yoozbegs [Uzbeks] potentially leaving Khiva vulnerable to Russian ‘designs’The circulation in Tehran of an article originally printed by a Persian-language newspaper in Bombay [Mumbai], and Stevens’s assertion that only a complete retraction by the Persian Government of the ‘unfounded accusations’ and ‘calumnious statement’ contained in it will repair the ‘injurious effect’ (f 387) on Britain’s image.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)
Abstract: The file concerns demonstrations by pearl divers in Bahrain in 1932, in the course of which two people were killed. The disturbances arose following the issue of a proclamation by the Government of Bahrain announcing changes in inheritance law. However, the file states that the basic cause of the 'riots' was economic: a protest against the smallness of diving advances. The papers record the British view of the causes of the disturbances and their circumstances; the role of Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; the response to the events of the British Government; and comments in the German press.The papers include a letter from the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior) to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, giving a detailed account of events (folios 65-79); papers concerning Belgrave's reaction to a Parliamentary question by the Labour MP David Grenfell about the events, and Belgrave's role in them (folios 40-51); and correspondence between the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, the Foreign Office, and other British officials concerning an article in the German press entitled 'Swan Song of the Pearl Divers' by Hans Joachim von Bassewitz, which was highly critical of British handling of the incident (folios 4-38).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 81; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 23 of 1847, dated 2 March 1847. The enclosure is dated 11 January 1847.The item comprises a despatch from Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], forwarding, for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Governor-General of India, the following:Copies of Rawlinson’s correspondence with Viscount Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, regarding the alleged distribution by ‘Russian Agents’ in and around the district of Sulimanieh [Sulaymaniyah] in Koordistan [Kurdistan] of anti-British printed handbills detailing the ‘military forces and the magnificence of the Russian Empire’. Included is a copy of a private letter sent to an official of the Foreign Office by Keith Edward Abbott, the British Consul in Tehran: detailing the claims suggesting that Russia aims to increase its influence in Koordistan, Turkey and Persia [Iran] as a possible means to invading India, and denigrating Russian approval of the Shah’s current heir-apparent whose ‘intellect is said to be of the very lowest’ (f 475). Rawlinson concludes from his investigations that the claims are exaggerated and misconceived, but supports the idea of a pamphlet contrasting the Russian and British empires, for Turkey and Persia as well as the ‘Koords’ [Kurds]A copy of Rawlinson’s letter to Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran, relating to the suggested removal of the Turkish guard ship at Mohamrah [Khorramshah, formerly Mohammerah] from its anchorage in the Shat-el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab River] below the mouth of the Haffar (canal), to a position above the mouth of the Haffar, specifically Nejib Pasha’s [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] decision
notto press for the alteration following the protest of the Governor and merchants of Bussorah [Basra] (concurred with by Joannes Parseigh, the British Agent at Bussorah), that it would encourage even further the ‘alarming’ increase in ‘piracy’ in the lower Euphrates and damage both the trade of that city and Mohamrah.Two other enclosures listed in the abstract, comprising the
Bombay Timessummary of Intelligence and
Bombay Overland Telegraph and Courier, are noted as ‘Missing 30.10.1906’.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)
Abstract: Correspondence, memoranda, and other papers, concerning relations between the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) and the Persian Government, and between the British and Persian governments over APOC operations in Persia [Iran]. The file covers: reports of attacks on APOC drilling operations at Bikarz [Bīd Karz] and Mishun in 1923; Soviet propaganda published against APOC in the Persian province of Khuzistan in 1927; disturbances amongst Persian APOC employees at Abadan in May and June 1929, and the British response to these disturbances, including the despatch of naval vessels to the Persian Gulf; copies of a 1931 memorandum entitled 'South Persian Oilfields Defence Scheme', produced by the Overseas Defence Committee at the Foreign Office (ff 76-86); a 1931 'Report on the Tribes in the Area exploited by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company Ltd', prepared by R J Moneypenny at HM Consulate, Ahwaz [Ahvāz] (ff 24-54); anti-APOC articles published in the newspaper
Shafaq-e-Surkhin 1931, which criticise the D'Arcy Concession of 1901 (translations enclosed, ff 6-16), and the subsequent protest at the content of the articles made by the British Government to the Persian Government. The volume's principal correspondents include: HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Robert Henry Clive; HM Vice-Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], Captain E W Fletcher; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The volume contains a small number of items in French, being correspondence exchanged between the British and Persian Governments and three copies of the Persian newspaper
Le Messager de Teheran(ff 61-66).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 first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 268; 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.
Abstract: This file consists of printed copies of correspondence received by the Foreign Office, which have been compiled by the India Office's External Affairs Department. Most of the correspondence is addressed to the Foreign Office by the British Minister at Jedda, Sir Reader William Bullard. Other received correspondence includes letters from His Majesty's Consuls at Benghazi and Damascus enclosing translated extracts from Damascus and Benghazi newspapers.Subjects covered include:Plans for an Arab convention at Mecca, to be held during the 1937 pilgrimage season.Protests from Mussalmans [Muslims] in Tripolitania against a proposal [made by the Peel Commission] to partition Palestine.Reports of Palestinians amassing large quantities of what is referred to as 'anti-British propaganda' for distribution in Mecca.British relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], including Bullard's accounts of his meetings with Ibn Saud.Italian-Saudi relations, including discussion of a recent delivery of arms from Italy to the Saudi Government.The future of Saudi Arabia in the event of Ibn Saud's death.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the front of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at inside back cover with 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file documents steps considered and taken by the British to combat reported Italian anti-British propaganda and disseminate pro-British propaganda in the Middle East and beyond.The file's principal correspondents are the following: His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome (Eric Drummond); the British Consul-General, Addis Ababa (Hugh Stonehewer Bird); His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires, Addis Ababa (Patrick Maxwell Roberts); the British Consul-General, Batavia (Henry Fitzmaurice); His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Jedda (Albert Spencer Calvert); His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Reader William Bullard); officials of the Foreign Office, the India Office, and the Government of India's External Affairs Department.Included in the correspondence is discussion of the following:Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] views on Italian activities in the Middle East.The movements of Shakib Arslan of the Syria Palestine Islamic League, including his reported visit to Rome in November 1936.The Italian regime in Ethiopia (including its education system) and the effect of Italian propaganda on Ethiopia's Muslim population.Reports of the publication of a manifesto in Libya that claims for Mussolini the title of 'Protector of Islam'.Accounts of speeches and statements given by Mussolini regarding Italy's attitude towards Muslim populations.Reported Italian sympathies amongst the Arab population in Palestine.Reports of Italian-inspired anti-British propaganda in the Dutch East Indies (mainly in Java), and the possibility of counteracting its effect on the local Arab population by sending pro-British Arabic periodicals to influential Arab residents there (also considered is the possibility of sending visitors from the Persian Gulf to deliver pro-British lectures).Italian propaganda regarding the financial assistance provided by the Italian authorities for Ethiopian Muslims to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.Steps taken by the British authorities in Alexandria to combat anti-British propaganda in Egypt, which include establishing a pro-British magazine named
Zahrat el Sharq.The Arabic language material consists of a copy of the first issue of the aforementioned magazine,
Zahrat el Sharq, dated 18 July 1938 and mainly consisting of pro-British propaganda. The French language material consists of several items of correspondence and a copy of a text which translates into English as 'Islam Policy of Italy'.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 (folio 2).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 229; 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 2-229; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain and the British Political Resident at Bushire, as well as with John Gordon Lorimer and Arnold Talbot Wilson. These correspondence concern Turkish pan-Islamist and anti-British propaganda and activities in Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula and India between 1906 and 1916. These correspondence include:Physical description: Foliation: There is an incomplete pagination sequence and a complete foliation sequence. The complete sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and runs through to 34, ending on the inside of the back cover of the file.