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169. Coll 17/36 ‘Iraq. On of Estabt. of Diplomatic relations between Iraq + U.S.S.R.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains papers relating to the proposed establishment of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union (USSR) and Iraq.The papers mainly consist of copies of telegrams between the Foreign Office and the following:Sir Basil Newton and Sir Kinahan Cornwallis, HM Ambassador to Iraq (successively).Sir (Richard) Stafford Cripps, HM Ambassador to the USSR.Sir Reader (William) Bullard, HM Minister to Iran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 28; 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 2-27; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
170. Coll 17/37 ‘Iraq. Operations in – 1941. Political control and use of services of Mr Bertram Thomas.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains papers mostly relating to British operations in Iraq in 1941. It includes papers concerning the need for suitable political and administrative officers to serve under the British Embassy in Baghdad, and the question of the employment of Bertram Thomas for political or intelligence duties in Iraq.The papers largely consist of the following correspondence:Correspondence between the India Office and the Viceroy of India, the Government of India External Affairs Department and Defence Department, and the War Office.India Office internal notes.Copy correspondence between the War Office, the Commander-in-Chief of India, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East.Copy correspondence between the HM Ambassador to Iraq at Baghdad (Sir Kinahan Cornwallis), and the Foreign Office (including a letter to Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 95; 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 2-94; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
171. Coll 17/38 'Iraq. British Consulates in Basra.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains a carbon copy of one letter from the Foreign Office to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated 26 January 1942 (sent by the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under Secretary of State for India), informing the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the status of the consular post at Basra had been raised to that of a consulate-general for the duration of the Second World War, and that William Lowry Craig Knight had assumed charge as HM Consul-General on 22 January 1942.The file includes a divider, which gives lists 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 5; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
172. Coll 28/10 ‘Persia. Diaries; Meshed Consular Jany 1931 – May 1940. Khorassan Political 1934 – May 1940. Khorassan Fortnightly Reports’
- Description:
- Abstract: Confidential political diaries submitted on a fortnightly basis throughout 1931, on a monthly basis from May 1932, returning to a fortnightly basis in September 1939, by the British Consul General at Khorassan [Khorāsān] (Lieutenant-Colonel Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett; Major Clive Kirkpatrick Daly; Lieutenant-Colonel Everard Huddleston Gastrell; Giles Frederick Squire). The diaries describe affairs in the Khorassan region, and are arranged under a series of headings that expand and evolve over time:Activities of the Persian [Iranian] Government and Persian authorities, including the programme of modernisation carried out at the orders of the Shah during the 1930s, activities of the Persian military and police.Events at Sistan, Kain [Ka’īn], and Birjand, and in the district of Sarhad.Activities of the municipal government in Khorassan, including public works and urban development programmes.Foreign interests and affairs in the region, including British, Russian, Afghan and Turkish affairs, and the movements of foreign visitors.Soviet propaganda, and British and Persian counter-propaganda measures.Agricultural production, food supplies and food shortages.Trade, commerce and smuggling.Security, including reports of robberies, and raids on transport routes.Weather reports.Diseases and epidemics.Reports of locust observations and movements.The diaries include some reports reflecting topical events: military activity on the Persia-Turkmenistan border, and reports of Russian refugees crossing into Persia from Turkmenistan; the start of the Second World War, with a focus on the activities of German subjects in Khorassan, speculation over Russian involvement in the War, and the impact upon public opinion in Iran of German radio propaganda, describing Germany’s military successes in Europe throughout 1940.Minute papers are enclosed with reports dated up till late 1935, which frequently contain handwritten or typed notes made by India Office staff, commenting on the contents of the report.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 650; 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.
173. Coll 28/10(2) ‘Persia; Diaries; Meshed Consular June 1940; Khorassan Political; Khorassan Fortnightly Reports’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file is a direct chronological continuation of Coll 28/10 ‘Persia. Diaries; Meshed Consular Jany 1931 – May 1940. Khorassan Political 1934 – May 1940. Khorassan Fortnightly Reports’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3406), and contains political diary reports, submitted fortnightly (and then monthly from late 1945) by the British Consul-General for Khorassan [Khorāsān] in Meshed [Mashhad] (Giles Frederick Squire; Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Ponsonby Watts; Reginald Michael Hadow; Clarmont Percival Skrine). The subject matter covered by the diaries changes during the course of the Second World War and immediate post-war period. Between June 1940 and August 1941, the diaries focus on the War, and cover:public opinion in Meshed on developments in EuropeBritish and German radio broadcasts in PersianGerman and British cinema programmes in MeshedGerman interests in Khorassan, including the activities of German individuals, and German commercial interests, including the ordering of raw materials, such as wool and skins, bound for Germanythe Russian invasion of Khorassan and occupation of Meshed in August 1941the abdication of Reza Shah PahlaviFrom late 1941 onwards:the security situation in Khorassanrailway construction and communicationsfood supplies and shortages, with particular emphasis on wheat suppliestransport of supplies, including the activities of the East Persian Auxiliary Transport Service (EPATS) and the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation (UKCC)Russian government and military activitiesGerman and Russian propagandalocal affairs, including Persian (Iranian) government affairs at Khorassan, Birjand, Zabul, Zahedanthe movements in Khorassan of Polish child refugeesThe file also includes four six-monthly reports on the political situation in Khorasan, produced by the Consul-General at Khorasan, spanning the years 1945 and 1946. Minute papers are enclosed in front of most reports, with typewritten notes made by India Office staff commenting on the contents of the report.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 648; 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.
174. Coll 28/21 ‘Persia; Azerbaijan; Persia-Russian & Persia-Turkish Frontier.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Papers concerning affairs on the northeast frontiers of Persia [Iran], with a focus on Iranian Azerbaijan, sent to and from British Government officials based in Persia, including those at the British Consulate at Tabriz and the British Embassy in Tehran, and the Foreign Office in London.The correspondence covers the following:Throughout the period June 1930 to July 1931 (ff 379-421), the situation on the Perso-Russian and Perso-Turkish borders, and relations in the region between Persia and Russia. These papers predominantly comprise reports from the British Consul at Tabriz (Clarence Edward Stanhope Palmer).During October and November 1932, calls to boycott the elections to the new Persian majlis by an organisation describing itself as the Nationalist Organisation of Azerbaijan (ff 368-378). Papers include a translation of a manifesto issued by the organisation (ff 369-370).In 1935, reports responding to rumours of civil unrest in Tabriz (ff 357-363).In 1938, deteriorating relations between Iran and Russia, partly in response to Russia’s unease at an increase in trade between Germany and Iran (ff 337-352).The political crisis brought about by the declaration of the Azerbaijan People’s Government in November 1945, and the ensuing Iran-Azerbaijan Crisis, which arose from Soviet Russia’s refusal to relinquish Iranian territory originally occupied by Russia during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941 (ff 4-336). Papers include a declaration (in French) made by the National Congress of Iranian Azerbaijan (ff 259-260), and the translated texts of programmes and laws announced by the Azerbaijan National Government (ff 207-209, f 92, ff 77-79, ff 61-63).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 422; 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.
175. Coll 28/65 ‘Persia. Perso-Soviet Commercial Relations.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence, newspaper cuttings, treaties and other papers, reporting on commercial relations between Persia [Iran] and Russia. The papers cover: a deterioration in relations between Persia and Russia in 1932-33, culminating in the ban on Russian imports into Persia; the Persian Government’s Foreign Trade Monopoly Act of 1933 (ff 218-223); the Irano-Soviet Treaty of Establishment, Commerce and Navigation, agreed between the two nations in 1935; a copy of the treaty in French (ff 101-106); a further printed copy of the treaty in French and Russian (ff 42-85); the termination of the 1935 treaty in 1938; the agreement of a new Treaty of Commerce and Navigation in 1940, created in response to events in the Second World War (ff 3-7).The file’s principal correspondents are: HM’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Reginald Hervey Hoare, Hughe Montgomery Knatchbull Hugesson, Horace James Seymour; the British Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran, Victor Alexander Louis Mallet; the Commercial Secretary at the British Legation in Tehran, Sydney Simmonds; HM’s Ambassador to Russia, the Viscount Chilston, Aretas Akers-Douglas; Noel Hughes Havelock Charles of the British Embassy in Moscow.The file includes several items in French, being newspaper cuttings and texts from the Persian newspapers Le Messager de Teheranand Le Journal de Tehran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 240; 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.
176. Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’
- Description:
- Abstract: Copies of intelligence summaries prepared on a weekly basis by the Military Attaché at the British Legation in Tehran, and received by the India Office via the Foreign Office. The file’s contents follow on chronologically from Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3503). The summaries cover a broad range of information relating to wartime conditions in Iran: the activities of the Iranian government, including political instabilities, the resignation and appointment of governments and government ministers; the financial situation in Iran, including the reappointment in 1942 and subsequent economic policies of Arthur Chester Millspaugh, who was recruited to organise the government’s finances; internal security in Iran, including increasing political unrest in the north of the country (specifically in Azerbaijan) brought about by a growing Soviet presence, wartime propaganda, and the activities of the Tudeh Party of Iran; concerns over wheat production and supply, including reports of food shortages and famine conditions in 1942/43; the Iran military, including its movements, activities and appointments; foreign interests (primarily USA, British, and Soviet); reports of the numbers of Polish refugees in camps in Tehran, Isfahan and Ahwaz [Ahvāz].The file contains a single item in French, being a copy of the declaration of the Congrès National d’Azerbaidjan (Nation Congress of Azerbaijan, f 359).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 375; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
177. Coll 28/97(2) ‘Persia; Diaries. Tehran Intelligence summaries. No 1 to 50 of 1946.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Typewritten and printed copies of weekly intelligence summaries, submitted by the Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Tehran. The reports cover: the affairs and activities of the Persian [Iranian] Government and the majlis, including statements, communiqués and declarations made by the Persian Prime Minister, Qawam us-Saltaneh [Qavām os-Saltaneh]; internal security in Iran and its various provinces, with a particular focus on the political unrest in Azerbaijan, in the wake of the Soviet army’s refusal to withdraw from Azerbaijan, and pro-Soviet sentiment in the region; Persian government appointments; the Persian army; reports in the Persian press, with a particular focus on the expression of anti-British sentiment in some publications; foreign interests in Persia, chiefly relating to Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States of America; notes on prominent Persian personalities.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 146; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
178. Coll 28/85S (1) ‘Persia. Abadan and S. W. Persian oilfields; Protection of British interests.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Papers relating to strikes and social unrest amongst workers on the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company’s (AIOC) oilfields in southern Iran (frequently referred to as Persia throughout the file), and the AIOC refinery at Abadan. The file’s principal correspondents include: the British Ambassador at Tehran, John Haller Le Rougetel; the Counsellor for Indian Affairs at the British Embassy in Tehran, Clarmont Percival Skrine; the Foreign Office.The file covers: initial reports of unrest at Abadan in May 1946; the Tudeh Party of Iran’s perceived involvement in fomenting unrest amongst AIOC employees; unrest amongst Indian AIOC employees, and discussion amongst British officials over plans to repatriate perceived ringleaders back to India; the despatch of Indian troops to Shaiba [Shu‘aybah] in Iraq, that could be deployed to quell social unrest in southern Iran if required; accounts of events on 14 July 1946, in which violent clashes occurred between socialist activists associated with the Tudeh Party who supported AIOC workers, and representatives of the Arab Tribal Union; a facsimile of an account of the events 14 July 1946 written by Vere William Digby Willoughby, British Consul at Khorramshahr (ff 214-249); a report on working and living conditions for Indian AIOC employees, submitted by the Indian Press Officer attached to the British Embassy in Tehran (ff 170-181); a report entitled ‘Social and municipal development carried out by the Anglo-Iranian Company, Limited, in Abadan and the south Persian oilfields’, submitted by the AIOC Chairman, William Fraser (ff 143-162); a report on AIOC labour conditions in Iran, submitted by K J Hird, Labour Attaché at the British Embassy in Tehran, dated 31 December 1946 (ff 87-101); the withdrawal of Indian troops from Shaiba in April 1947, in response to a stabilisation of the political situation in Iran; quarterly reports on affairs at AIOC, prepared by HM Consul-General at Khorramshahr, describing worker morale, potentially subversive activities, social improvements for workers, etc.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 557; 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.
179. Coll 28/102 ‘Persia. German activities in Persia and the Middle East.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence and other papers relating to the presence of Axis-country nationals in Persia [Iran] and Iraq at the beginning of the Second World War. Subjects covered include: German activities in Iraq, reported by the British Ambassador at Baghdad, Basil Cochrane Newton; Germans in Persia, including the German ‘colony’ in Tehran; reports of the movements of suspected German agents from India to Persia and Afghanistan; the Persian Government’s declaration of neutrality in 1939; the internment of German nationals in Iraq; the arrest of a Persian journalist named Saif Azad [Abdulrahman Saif] suspected of pro-Nazi sympathies; German propaganda in the Middle East; a summary of a memorandum written by Dr Herbert Melzig of the University of Angora [Ankara] on the activities of the German Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda in the Near East (ff 123-125); the translation of a second memorandum written by Melzig entitled The Swastika in the East(ff 126-134); reports of German and Italian vessels and crews in the Gulf, circulated by the Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Squadron and the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; the defence of oil refinery facilities at Abadan; increasing tensions in Iraq and Iran in early 1941, in response to German military successes in Europe and North Africa. The file’s principal correspondents are: HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, Horace James Seymour succeeded by Reader William Bullard; and the Foreign Office.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 232; 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.
180. Coll 28/105 ‘Iran. Transit of German railway coaches to Iran via Iraq.’
- Description:
- Abstract: Correspondence concerning possible arrangements for Iranian railway carriages to be commandeered for the transport of British troops in Iraq. The correspondence covers: the likely reluctance of the Government of Iran to allow such an arrangement; the impact of any arrangment on relations between the Iraq and Iran Governments; the presence of eleven German railway carriages in Iraq, originally ordered by the Government of Iran and en route to Iran; attempts by British officials to stop the German railway carriages from departing Iraq for Iran. The file’s principal correspondents are: the British Minister at Tehran, Reader William Bullard; the Foreign Office; the British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Iraq, Kinahan Cornwallis.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 37; 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.