Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, and press cuttings relating to the construction of the Baghdad railway. Topics discussed include:the visit of engineers to survey German alignment;Baghdad Railway (1911) Command Paper 5635 (ff 10-48);the draft Anglo-Turkish Convention on railways in Asia Minor, 1911.The principal correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent at Kuwait, Stuart George Knox; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Percy Zachariah Cox; the First Assistant Resident to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, J H Bill; the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.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 99; 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 4-98; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume is
British Enactments in Force in Native States, Volume V: Orders relating to Railways in Native States.Originally compiled by John Molesworth Macpherson, Secretary of the Government of India, Legislative Department, it was revised and continued up to 15 August 1899 by A Williams, for the Second Edition, and up to 19 April 1913 by Oswald Vivian Bosanquet, for this Third Edition. The volume was printed by Superintendent Government Printing, Calcutta, 1914.The volume lists all laws relating to railways enacted by either the British Legislature or the British Indian Executive Government and in force in the Native States of India. The volume begins with three prefaces to each of the three editions, with notes on arrangements and definitions of terms.Physical description: The volume is divided into two parts, each covering different types of acts. Each part is then arranged by geographical division: Eastern, Northern, North-Western, Western, North Central, South Central, and Southern. A breakdown of which railway lines are included in which division is found at the beginning of Part 1 (folios 9-11).
Abstract: The file contains a printed report published by the 'Admiralty, Intelligence Department (No. 694). September 1903.', providing a compilation of available information of naval, military and political value about various locations in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Places described include Muscat, Mussandam Promontory, Khor Kawi [Khawr al Quway‘], Elphinstone Inlet [Khawr ash Shamm], Khasab, Pirate Coast [Arabian Coast], Bahrain, Kuwait, Fao [Al Fāw], Basra, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], Bushire, Lingah and Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas].Much of the information was extracted from the Persian Gulf Pilot, 1898. The report also includes an 'Official statement of British Policy with regard to (1) the proposed Baghdad Railway; and (2) Persia and the Persian Gulf generally' given in the House of Lords, 5 May 1903; and advice on collecting information on defences such as defended areas, minefields, ordnance and under-water defences.Two hand-stamps appear on the front cover and on folio 3, which read, 'War Office Library 27 Nov 1903', and, 'Mobilization and Intelligence Dept. 27 Nov 1903'.The volume contains seven maps.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 57; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: an original printed pagination sequence is present in parallel throughout.
Abstract: The memorandum considers whether or not the British Government should support the development of a Trans-Persian Railway linking Europe to India. To this end it examines the potential benefits, and who (Britain, Germany, Persia, or Russia) stands to gain/lose the most from the project; it looks into the commercial, strategic, and political implications of the railway from a British perspective. It also provides advice on the steps to be taken by the British Government depending on whether it chooses to back or oppose the scheme. Sir Arthur Hirtzel is the author of the memorandum.The appendix (folios 22-24) contains extracts on opinions concerning the Trans-Persian Railway from various authorities including: the Board of Trade; Sir Arthur Henry McMahon, Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan; Sir Percy Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Frederick Noel Paton, Director-General of Commercial Intelligence, India; Lieutenant-General Sir Douglas Haig, Chief of the General Staff, India; Sir Trevredyn Rashleigh Wynne, President of the Railway Board, India; the Government of India; and Sir William Nicolson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 18, and terminates at f 24, 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.
Abstract: The memorandum — signed by Lieutenant-General Percy Lake, Chief of the Indian General Staff — considers whether Britain should accept Russian demands that the proposed Trans-Persian Railway should be routed via Kerman. It examines the potential strategic advantages to Russia, the consequent potential threat to British India, and how these would be negated if the railway passed via Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. An estimate is also provided of the additional force that would be required to defend India should the railway be routed as the Russians desire.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 34, and terminates at f 36, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum consists of short minute by Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes (Marquess of Crewe and Secretary of State for India), which argues against the construction of a Trans-Persian Railway linking Europe and India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at f 27, 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.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding military policy and strategy in Egypt and Mesopotamia [Iraq] during the First World War in response to recommendations made by General Jan Christiaan Smuts, Defence Minister of South Africa and a member of the Imperial War Cabinet.Topics covered in the correspondence include: a proposed policy of defence in Mesopotamia to allow troops and equipment to be transferred to Palestine; construction of railways in and between Palestine and Egypt; and the transfer of troops and artillery from Palestine to France and Salonika [Thessaloniki].The primary correspondents are: the Commander-in-Chief, India; the Commander-in-Chief, Egypt; and the War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 24; 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 written in blue crayon.
Abstract: This printed memorandum is a copy of an article reprinted for private circulation from the
The Quarterly Reviewof October 1917 concerning the Baghdad Railway negotiations. The purpose of the article is to trace the development of railway interests in Turkey and seek to focus the situation in which the later negotiations concerning the Baghdad Railway took place, and ultimately resulted in a draft agreement. The article is divided into the following chronological periods which are dealt with in corresponding sections of the article: 'The First Period' (ending 1888), 'The Second Period' (ending 1903) and 'The Final Period' (ending June 1914). These sections are followed by a 'Conclusion'. Each section is referenced with footnotes.There is one map accompanying the article on folio 71 entitled 'Map of Railways in Asiatic Turkey representing their condition in July 1914' with the following railway systems represented: 'Turkish Railways (European and Hejaz)', 'Anatolian Railway', 'Baghdad Railway System, Working', 'Baghdad Railways System, Projected', 'Baghdad Railway System, Branches', 'Other German Projected Lines', 'Smyrna-'Aidin Railway (British)', 'Smyrna-'Aidin Railway Projected', 'French Railways', 'French Railways Projected', 'Egyptian State Railway', 'Russian Railways', and 'Navigation Concessions under British Management'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 56. and terminates at folio 71, 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 folio 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: This file contains handwritten (and in one case, typewritten) notes on a number of concessions relating to Persia and the Persian Gulf, in which the India Office's Political Department held an interest. The concessions are listed at the beginning of the file as follows:1. Euphrates and Tigris navigation (Lord Inchcape [James Mackay]);2. Mesopotamian oilfields (International);3. Mesopotamian irrigation (Sir John Jackson Ltd);4. Russian oilfields (The Anglo-Persian Oil Co.);5. Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]-Khorremabad Railway (Persian Railways Syndicate);6. Kerman Mining Concession (Persian Railways Syndicate);7. Baluchistan oilfields (Burma Oil Co. and Anglo-Persian Oil Co.);8. Mining concessions on the Persian Gulf Coast and Islands;9. Ispahan irrigation scheme;10. Koweit [Kuwait] oil;11. Imperial Bank of Persia's mint contract.Of these eleven concessions, notes on all except 2 and 8 are included. In each case, the notes detail the origins and current status of the concession.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 127, and terminates at f 142, 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.
Abstract: This volume is about the construction of railways in Persia [Iran] and negotiations between the Persian Government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) over the acquisition of islands in the Persian Gulf. It contains material relating to:The Persian Government’s interest in attracting American capital for the construction of railways in PersiaThe amount due from the Persian Government to the Persian Railways Syndicate LimitedA proposal from the Persian Railways Syndicate to connect the Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] and Isfahan-Tehran railway linesThe proposed re-alignment of the railway from Bagdad [Baghdad] to the Persian FrontierThe advantages, from a British perspective, of a railway line from Qaraitu [Quraitu] to TehranA proposal by the Persian Railways Syndicate to survey the route between Hamadan or Kermanshah and DizfulA proposal by the Persian Railways Syndicate to survey the Bagdad-Khanikin [Khanaqin] line with a re-alignmentA proposal by the Persian Railways Syndicate to survey a section of the existing line between Bagdad and QuraituA proposed re-alignment of the Mesopotamian [Iraqi] section of the Bagdad-Tehran RailwayThe assistance from British military authorities in Mesopotamia to surveyors of the Persian Railways SyndicateThe arrival of two Belgian engineers, de Kock and de Ronck, in Constantinople [Istanbul] en route to PersiaThe construction, by the Persian Railways Syndicate, of a railway between Hamadan and TehranThe approval of the agreement between the Persian Railways Syndicate and the Persian GovernmentThe views of Major-General Percy Zachariah Cox on the construction of railways in PersiaThe negotiations between Sir Ernest William Moir (of Pearson and Son and the Persian Railways Syndicate) and the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs [Firuz Mirza Nusrat al-Dawlah] on railway construction in PersiaThe application of Anglo-Persian Oil Company Limited for a railway concession in PersiaThe negotiations of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company with the Persian Government toward a railway concessionThe position of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on the acquisition of Abadan and Kishm [Qeshm].Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 313; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to a request from the Persian Government for supplies of dynamite. The request is passed from the Iranian Consul-General to the Government of India, Department of Supply, who refer the matter to the Foreign Office out of concern for what they feel is an 'unusual' demand. The Foreign Office contact John Percival Gibson, Principal of the Political Department, India Office, to explain that the dynamite is needed for blasting purposes during the construction of the Trans-Iranian [Trans-Persian] Railway. The War Office also write to Gibson to suggest some British companies who may be able to supply the dynamite. Two further notes between the Secretary of State for India and the Government of India, External Affairs Department, support the supplying of the dynamite by British companies.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description 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: The report, printed for the use of the Foreign Office, was compiled by Captain Edward Willoughby Sandys Mahon, Royal Engineer on 24 July 1905 to identify places suitable as termini of the Baghdad Railway. He advises Bussorah [Basra] as the best place, for strategic and commercial reasons.The report contains two maps:'Sketch Map of the Mouth of the Shatt-El-Arab' (f 15);'Koweit Harbour' (f 16).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 13, and terminates at f 17, since 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 the bottom right-hand corner of the recto of each folio. These numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: This section of the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.