Abstract: This file concerns arms traffic outside of the Persian Gulf. Specifically, the document discusses what it refers to as the 'spasmodic' illicit traffic of arms (as opposed to 'systematic' traffic) which has been carried out by masters of dhows carrying other merchandise. Most of the file is concerned with the traffic of arms from Jibuti [Djibouti] – which is referred to as '
thedistributing centre [original italics]' for the arms trade outside of the Persian Gulf – to ports in the Gulf of Aden.The document provides a brief history (from a British perspective) of traffic from Jibuti in the years since the signing of the Brussels Convention in 1890. It summarises, and provides references to, letters and despatches from a number of British authorities, which discuss various issues relating to the arms trade out of Jibuti, including: the extent to which traffic at Jibuti has been regulated; the possible threat that the traffic poses to the Aden garrison; the effects of measures taken by the French to curtail the traffic from Jibuti; other possible ports of supply, such as Zanzibar, Muscat and the Aden Protectorate ports.Also discussed are the attitudes of the maritime chiefs to the arms traffic, the various preventive measures available to the Resident at Aden for dealing with the effects of the traffic at Aden, an account of measures taken both by the British Somaliland authorities and by the Italian authorities, and an evaluation of the naval measures taken by the British since 1901. The file concludes by noting that one possible solution to the problem could be the deployment of armed dhows, a measure which previously has been advocated by the naval authorities, the Viceroy and the Resident at Aden.The document is attributed to P H D [P H Dumbell, Reading Clerk to the Council, India Office].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file consists of a note from the Political Department, India Office, on the division of charges relating to Persia between the British Home Government and the Government of India.The note recounts how charges have been divided between the two since the Report of the Indian Expenditure Commission (better known as the Welby Commission) was published in 1900. The Welby Commission proposed a principle of equal division, which was put into practice from 1900 onwards. In 1917 the issue of Persian charges was re-examined in relation to the costs of the South Persia Rifles and the Seistan Levy Corps respectively (the cost of the former was divided equally, whilst the latter was deemed chargeable to Imperial revenues).The note goes on to cite other cases that have recently required consideration: relief measures in Persia and the construction of the Bunder Abbas-Kerman road and telegraph line. In both cases the Secretary of State in Council proposed that the expenses be divided equally.The note concludes with a quotation from a note recorded by the former Secretary of State for India [Joseph Austen Chamberlain] on 22 June 1916, accepting the principle of half charges.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 157, and terminates at f 157, 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.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, authored by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, dated 30 December 1918, concerns a meeting at the India Office, London, between Sir Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State, and Shaikh Feisal [Fayṣal bin Ḥusayn al-Hāshimī], accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence acting as interpreter, on 27 December 1918. The meeting was also attended by Sir Thomas Holderness and Sir James Dunlop-Smith, as well as Lord Islington, Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel, and Sir Hamilton Grant. Subjects of discussion included relations with Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)], Emir of Nejd [Najd] and the nature of the Wahabi [Wahhabi] movement; Syria and the circumstances of the Arab Revolt of 1916; and Palestine and the Zionist movement.There is a pencil note in the top right hand corner of folio 1 that reads: 'Sir A. Grant. Do you think this is a fair representation of what Feisal said?' signed J E S and dated 30 December. This is followed by a note in the top center of the folio that reads: 'Yes. Excellent, I think', signed A H G and dated 31 December.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 14 and terminates at folio 17, 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.
Abstract: A contract for operating a weekly shipping and mail service between Bussora [Basra] and Baghdad.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at folio 50, and terminates at folio 52, as it is part of a larger 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 present in parallel between ff 5-152; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The letter from Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey to Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel encloses a copy of a letter No. C/8 of 1915 by Grey, as Political Agent in Kuwait, to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 9 June 1915, regarding Arab co-operation with the Turks in the Shatt al-Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab] country.The letter refers to remarks made by Lord Curzon of Kedleston both in the House of Lords and in relation to an address given by Mr P Landon on Basrah and the Shatt al-Arab at the Society of Arts in April 1915. The remarks are regarding Arab tribes supporting the Turks, and further observations made by the Secretary of State for India on the Battle of Shaiba, at which it was reported that the Turkish troops had been joined by almost 10,000 Arab combatants. The letter also raises the question of why they were now siding with the Turks given their previous relations with Britain.Grey's response to these observations includes a detailed explanation of the composition of the tribes involved as being primarily from Arab communities in Iraq, and the Muntafiq [al-Muntafiq] tribe of the Euphrates and Shatt-ul-Gharaf [Shaṭṭ al-Gharrāf, also known as Shaṭṭ al-Ḥayy] regions. His response also notes that the tribes involved are not those of the Persian Gulf region as had previously been assumed by Lord Curzon.The letter goes on to explain these tribes' relations with the Turks and the reasons for their having sided with them. The letter concludes by providing information on some of the tribes of the Persian Gulf, in particular the Zaffir [al-Zafīr] who had declined Turkish invitations to take up arms; and the Yuarin, Bani Malik [Banī Mālik] and Shammar all of whom had chosen to remain neutral.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 26 and terminates at folio 26, 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 the volume; 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 part contains correspondence relating to the salaries of HM consular and diplomatic officers, mainly those employed in Persia.The correspondence mostly consists of: letters from the Foreign Office to the India Office, including enclosed Foreign Office correspondence; draft letters from the India Office to the Foreign Office; correspondence by telegram between the India Office and the Foreign Department of the Government of India; and internal India Office correspondence. The enclosed correspondence in letters from the Foreign Office largely consists of correspondence between the Foreign Office and the Treasury, and between the Foreign Office and HM Minister, Tehran.The correspondence mostly relates to the payment of exchange compensation allowance or temporary salary increases, to HM Legation Tehran, and to diplomatic and consular staff in Persia generally (due to the high prices and the low rate of exchange caused by the First World War), and the Secretary of State for India in Council accepting a moiety of the cost as a charge on the Indian Exchequer. The file also includes some correspondence relating to the extension of exchange concessions to Maskat [Muscat], Bahrein [Bahrain] and Shargah [Sharjah].Most of the correspondence dates from 1916 to 1918, but the file also includes copies of correspondence from December 1908 to June 1909, regarding the payment in Persian currency at a fixed rate of exchange of the rupee salaries of non-gazetted consular establishments and of the telegraph staff in Persia (folios 236 to 250).Physical description: 1 item (250 folios)
Abstract: This part contains correspondence (and a list of the correspondence), mostly consisting of: letters to the India Office from the Foreign Office, with enclosed letters to the Foreign Office from the Treasury and HM Minister at Tehran; draft replies to the Foreign Office from the India Office; and internal India Office correspondence. The correspondence mainly relates to financial concessions for consular officers and Legation servants in Persia [Iran] (due to the low exchange value of the rupee and the high cost of living), and the Secretary of State for India in Council accepting moieties of the costs involved as charges against the Indian Exchequer.It includes correspondence regarding: the extension of exchange concessions to diplomatic and consular officers in Persia; the permanent revision in rates of pay of servants of HM Legation, Tehran; the concession of a free supply of wheat to the Tehran Legation, and its extension to the inhabitants of the village of Gulhek; an increase in the wages of ghulams, munshis and menial staff of the Legation; and the fuel allowance for the Indian sowars (pensioners) serving at the Legation.Physical description: 1 item (118 folios)