1. ‘File 25/8 Eire and the Commonwealth’

Description:

Abstract: The file contains a single item of note, a telegram from the Foreign Office to His Majesty’s representatives at Bahrain, dated 14 December 1948, on the subject of Eire (the Republic of Ireland) and the Commonwealth. The telegram was sent in response to the ratification of the Republic of Ireland Act of 1948, which formally announced Ireland’s status as a republic, and the end of the constitutional rule of the British monarchy in the state. The telegram sets out the British Government’s position on the Act, prior to its coming into force in 1949.The telegram states:the expected relations that will exist between Great Britain and Ireland;that Britain will not regard Ireland as a ‘foreign country’ and its citizens not as foreigners;Ireland’s position in relation to the Commonwealth;how British officials might address the claims of other countries which have treaties with Britain containing ‘most-favoured-nation clauses’, and the arguments that Britain will use to resist such claims.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 2-4; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

2. File 443/1924 Pt 1 'Persia: Situation 1924-1925; Attempt to set up a Republic 1924; Abolition of the Kajar dynasty and the accession of Reza Shah Pahlavi 1925'

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence, memoranda, drafts, and minute papers relating to political events in Persia [Iran]. The majority of the papers consist of telegrams and regular reports concerning the evolving political situation in the country, sent to the Foreign Office by the British Minister in Tehran, Sir Percy Lyham Loraine, or the Chargé d'Affaires, Esmond Ovey, when the Minister was absent.The papers notably cover the following:The emergence and eventual failure of a republican movement in Persia in the early part of 1924Resistance within the country to the idea of a republic, leading to the storming of the Majlis [legislative assembly, also written as Mejlis] by anti-republicans in March 1924The resignation of Reza Khan [Reżā Shāh Pahlavī] as Prime Minister in April 1924Reza Khan's return and his ascension to the position of Shah following the legal abolition of the Kajar [Qājār] dynasty on 31 October 1925The British discussion of, and response to, these events, including the question of maintaining a policy of non-interferenceReaction to events from within Persia and from other foreign powers.Less prominent matters covered within the volume include: Arms imports into PersiaRelations between the USA and Persia, including the perceived unpopularity of US advisers in the countryThe potential of republicanism spreading to AfghanistanThe reaction in Turkey to the idea of a Persian republicOil concessions in Persia, in particular the Northern Oil Concession to Sinclair and Company [Sinclair Oil Corporation]The separatist movement in Arabistan [Khuzestan] and its defeat by the Persian Army led by Reza Khan in November 1924Bolshevik influence in PersiaRoutine political events such as the opening of parliamentary sessions and changes to the Cabinet.Other correspondents include: Godfrey Thomas Havard, Oriental Secretary, Tehran [also written Teheran]; Major William Archibald Kenneth Fraser, British Military Attaché, Tehran; Lord Crewe [Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe], British Ambassador to France; Edmund St John Debonnaire John Monson, Embassy Counsellor, Tehran; the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; Sir Ronald Charles Lindsay, British Ambassador to Turkey; Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Beville, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Haworth, British Consul-General Meshed [Mashhad]; H G Chick, British Consul, Shiraz; Noel Patrick Cowan, British Consul, Kermanshah; and Bernard Gilliat-Smith, British Consul, Tabriz.The volume contains a number of newspaper cuttings and extracts, including those from The Times, Shafagh Sorkh[ Shafaq-e-Surkh] ,and Le Messager de Teheran(in French).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 353; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.