1. ‘File 25/3 Agreement between UK and Italy’

Description:

The file contains a printed copy of a booklet containing two agreements: I. Agreement between the United Kingdom and Italy, consisting of a Protocol with Annexes and Exchanges of Notes; and II. Bon Voisinage Agreement and Exchanges of Notes between the United Kingdom and Italy, agreed in Rome on 16 April 1938. The booklet is labelled Treaty Series No. 31 (1938), and published by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1938. A cover slip (folio 2) indicates that the booklet was sent by the Secretary of the Political Department in the India Office, and that copies were also sent to India, Bushire, Koweit [Kuwait], and Muscat.Annex 3 is the one most pertinent to British officials in the Gulf, in that it relates to certain areas of the Middle East, namely: Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It concerns an agreement not to interfere in each other’s affairs and possessions in the Red Sea; those islands in the Red Sea to which Turkey had renounced its rights to; and Britain’s Aden protectorate. Other regions and places covered by the annexes include: the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, East Africa, and Lake Tsana [Tana] in Ethiopia. It also covers the exchange of military information between the two countries, the use of propaganda, and Italian assurances on Spain and her possessions.1 file (23 folios)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 2-3; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.The copy of the agreement included in the file (ff 4-23) has its own printed pagination system running from 3 (f 5) to 39 (f 23), and a contents page which refers to this pagination on the verso of folio 4.

2. ‘File 28/10 (a) War. Foreigners, Anti-British Activities, etc. Father Irzio Luigi Magliacani (Roman Catholic Priest in Bahrain)’

Description:

The file comprises correspondence relating to the presence in Bahrain during the War of an Italian Roman Catholic priest, Irzio Luigi Magliacani. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior; Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Crawshaw Galloway); and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban; Major Tom Hickinbotham; Cornelius James Pelly).The file includes:correspondence dated 1940, including: the Political Agent in Bahrain’s assent, in June 1940, to Magliacani remaining in Bahrain (f 3); arrangements to deport Magliacani during October and November 1940, in response to the Italian bombing raid on Bahrain on 19 October 1940. The deportation order (f 11, f 14) was made because the Political Agent in Bahrain could not guarantee Magliacani’s personal safety, rather than Magliacani himself representing a threat to Bahrain (ff 3-23);correspondence dated 1944, relating to an application from the Archbishop of Agra, India, for Magliacani to return to Bahrain, in the wake of Italy’s surrender, and Magliacani having been released from the Central Internment Camp in India (f 24). This portion of the file includes copies of correspondence in Italian (ff 35-40, with English translations at ff 43-48), dated between 11 May 1931 and 22 April 1939, addressed to Magliacani, from various correspondents, including Camillo Guiriati, Italian Consular General in Calcutta [Kolkata], Leo Pollini, Director of the Istituto Fascista di Cultura in Milan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. The correspondence was, according to a note in the file (f 34) found in Magliacani’s boxes during a search conducted on 25 July [1944]. Letters from the Security Office at Bahrain and the Bahrain Government state they have no objection to Magliacani’s return (f 29, f 31). A letter from the Political Resident to the Political Agent at Bahrain, dated 27 July 1944, states that it is too early for Axis subjects to return to the Arab sheikhdoms, and that permission for Magliacani’s return must be refused (f 41);correspondence from 1947 and 1948 relating to a further application for Magliacani’s return to Bahrain, with no objections offered by the Bahrain Government (ff 49-60).1 file (64 folios)The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 61-65) mirror the chronological arrangement.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 66; 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 3-57; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Pagination: the file notes at the back (ff 61-65) have been paginated using pencil.

3. 'File 4/26 Izzat Jaffer'

Description:

This file contains correspondence between British officials concerning the activities and standing of Izzat Jaafar ['Izzat Jafar], the Secretary of the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.Much of the correspondence concerns allegations that Jafar was an agent of the Italian Government and was involved in smuggling weapons. Jafar was eventually expelled from Kuwait on the basis of these allegations and the correspondence in the file discusses this and his subsequent return to the country.The majority of the correspondence in the file is between British officials of the Middle East Intelligence Centre in Cairo, the Political Agency in Kuwait and the Political Residency in Bushire.The file also contains copies of letters that were exchanged between Jafar and an Iraqi government official who was being held in a British internment camp following Britain's invasion and military occupation of Iraq in 1941. These letters are in Arabic and accompanied by English translations (folios 100-106).In addition to correspondence, the file also contains an April 1941 issue of Radio Araba di Bari, the monthly magazine of the Italian Government's Arabic language radio station, Radio Bari (folios 64-81) and a translation of an article about Kuwait that was published in al-Sayad, an Egyptian Arabic weekly magazine on 10 August 1948 (folio 119).1 file (135 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 137; 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 1-135; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

4. 'File 6/33 Foreign Interests: Relations with Italy'

Description:

This file contains a translation of a letter sent from the Italian Legation in Baghdad to the Sultan of Muscat inviting him to attend an exhibition that was proposed to take place in Rome in 1942, and a letter that was drafted by him in response to this invitation.The file also contains a bi-lingual, English and Italian, printed copy of the following document: 'Treaty Series No. 31 (1938) I - Agreement between the United Kingdom and Italy consisting of a protocol with Annexes and Exchanges of Notes. II - Bon Voisinage Agreement and Exchanges of Notes between the United Kingdom, Egypt and Italy, Rome, April 16, 1938' (folios 3-22).1 file (26 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main 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.

5. Coll 30/190 'Bahrein: Qn. of the institution of a Bahrein "Order".'

Description:

The file concerns two issues ('Qn.' stands for 'question' in the file title): (1) the award by Pope Pius XII of a papal decoration (the Grand Cross of the Order of St Sylvester) to Shaikh Sir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], Ruler of Bahrain; and (2) the decision of Shaikh Hamad to institute a decoration of his own: the order of the Khalifah.The papers show that there were initial concerns on the part of the India Office and the Government of India about the award of a papal decoration to the Shaikh. However, as the Colonial Office attached little importance to papal awards, and the Foreign Office did not expect to be consulted by the Vatican on awards to those not in the service of the Crown, the British Government decided not to intervene in the matter. The text of the papal award (in Italian), dated 25 September 1939, appears on folios 13-14. There was greater concern among British officials about the decision of Shaikh Hamad to institute the order of the Al Khalifah (text of alan, dated 7 February 1940, folio 29). The papers include a letter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior, to the India Office, dated 14 March 1940, describing interviews he had held with both Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain), and Shaikh Hamad, at which he expressed his concerns about the new award (folios 21-24). To the India Office, Prior stated that he hoped the award would lapse.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.1 file (39 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 41; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

6. Coll 6/53 'Red Sea: The Hanish Islands.'

Description:

This file primarily concerns the sovereignty status of the Hanish Islands, as well as that of other islands in the Lower Red Sea. It documents concerns held by the British Government that the Italian Government is in the process of attempting to establish some kind of informal control over certain islands.Matters discussed in the correspondence include:The content and wording of a proposed Red Sea Lights Convention, the result of negotiations between the British and French governments, which ostensibly relates to the construction and maintenance of lighthouses – both on islands in the Lower Red Sea and in the territory of Mocha – but also concerns questions of sovereignty.Whether the Italian Government's plan to construct a lighthouse on South-West Haycock Island constitutes a claim of sovereignty over the island.The establishment of Italian military posts on the Hanish and Jebel Zukur [Jazīrat Jabal Zuqar] islands.Concerns expressed by the Admiralty and Foreign Office that by establishing these posts the Italian Government could be attempting to enforce rights of sovereignty over the islands.The extent to which either the Treaty of Lausanne (1923) or the Rome Conversations of 1927 (between Britain and Italy) provide any basis to contesting an Italian claim to sovereignty over the islands.Reports of attempts by the Italian military posts to restrict fishing and pearling in neighbouring waters to dhows possessing a permit from Assab.The file features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome (Sir Ronald Graham, succeeded by James Eric Drummond); the Command-in-Chief, Mediterranean; the Senior Officer of the Red Sea Sloops; the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, the India Office, the Admiralty, the Air Council, and the Board of Trade's Mercantile Marine Department.As well as correspondence the file includes the following: extracts from reports of the proceedings of HMS Dahlia(1929 and 1931), HMS Penzance(1933), and HMS Calcutta(1934); copies of the minutes of an interdepartmental conference, held at the Foreign Office on 6 July 1931 to consider questions relating to the Red Sea islands; draft English and French texts of modifications to the aforementioned Red Sea Lights Convention, prepared by Sir Cecil Hurst, legal adviser to the Foreign Office; two sketch maps depicting the Lower Red Sea islands and surrounding area.In addition to the aforementioned French text, the file contains some material in Italian, namely a copy of a fishing permit issued at Assab (an English translation is included).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).1 file (208 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 209; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

7. Coll 7/3 'Afghanistan: supply of arms by Italian Government'

Description:

Papers regarding the purchase by the Afghan Government of arms and ammunition from Italy.The file contains correspondence with the Afghan Legations in Rome and London, and the Afghan Foreign Ministry, plus correspondence between the India Office Political Department, the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department, HM Ministers in Kabul and Rome, and the Government of India's Customs Department.Correspondence dated 1931-1933 concerns the order of artillery equipment from Italy, and arrangements for the materials to be shipped through Karachi [Karāchi] and Peshawar [Peshāwar] to Kabul [Kābul]. Lists of equipment (in Italian) can be found at folios 108-121. There is also correspondence with the firm Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co, regarding permission to broker arms sales with the Afghan Government.Correspondence dated 1939 concerns the purchase by the Afghan Government of tanks from Italy, arrangements for their transportation and customs clearance, plus copy intelligence reports on Italian arms movements in Afghanistan.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (folio 2).1 file (121 folios)The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 122; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

8. File 2672/1912 ‘Turco-Italian War: Red Sea’

Description:

The volume, which bears the alternative title ‘Turco-Italian War: Italian action in the Red Sea’ on its first page (f 3), contains correspondence relating to the blockade by the Italian navy of ports on the Red Sea, including Hodeida [Al-Ḥudaydah], from 25 January 1912. This action was part of the broader Italo-Turkish War of 1911/1912.The seizures specifically dealt with in the volume include:SS Tuna, seized by the Italian destroyer Artigliereon 26 January 1912;the SS Woodcock,seized by the Italian warship Calabriaon 2 February 1912, and again by the Italian warship Elba, on 27 March 1912;numerous native dhows and sambuks, including the Fath-el-Khair,the Atiat-el-Ramanand the Muft-el-Khair.Correspondents in the file include: the British Ambassador to Rome (James Rennell Rodd); the Italian Foreign Minister (Antonio di San Guiliano); the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (Charles Augustus Kincaid); representatives of the merchants Cowasjee [also spelt Cowasji] Dinshaw & Brothers of Aden, owners of the vessel SS Woodcock; Foreign Office officials (primarily Sir Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe); India Office officials (Thomas William Holderness; Arthur Hirtzel).Papers include:British Government correspondence relating to the state of affairs in Yemen and Hejaz, namely Italian support for Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Idrisi, and Turkish action against Ali Al-Idrisi;copies of resolutions and correspondence from representatives of the All-India Muslim League and Anjuman-i-Islam, raising concerns that the Italian blockade of Jeddah would prevent Muslims travelling to Mecca on Hajj;correspondence between British Indian traders and vessel owners operating on the Yemen coast, and Government representatives at Aden, relating to blockade actions, including the boarding of vessels by Italian naval officers, and confiscation of goods;correspondence between British officials and British and Italian Government officials (with some letters in Italian), relating to the seizure of vessels, confiscation of goods by the Italian naval officials, the subsequent referral of seizures to the Italian Prize Court [Commissione Delle Prede], and the settlement of individual cases.The file contains copies (in Italian, in addition to English translations) of the Commissione Delle Prede’s orders and regulations (f 17, ff 99-100, f 139, ff 145-146, ff 186-187), and a translation of the Commission’s hearing over the case of SS Tuna(spelt Thuna) (ff 69-70).1 volume (312 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 315; 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 3-313; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

9. File 3372/1916 Pt 2 'Arabia: French and Italian policy'

Description:

The volume contains papers largely relating to French policy in the Hedjaz [Hejaz] and Arabia, and Anglo-French relations concerning the region. It includes papers relating to the following:The French mission being sent to the Hedjaz under Mustapha Cherchali.The French Military Mission in the Hedjaz.The British desire for French recognition of British predominance in the region.The Sykes-Picot Mission.The recommendations of HM High Commissioner, Egypt, on future British policy in Arabia.The desire of the French government to send the equivalent in gold of 975,000 francs to the King of the Hedjaz.The question of a revised agreement between Britain and France regarding Arabia and the Hedjaz.The activities of a French agent at Mecca, Mahomet Bin Sasi.The volume also includes papers relating to the policy to be adopted by Britain towards Italian ‘pretentions’ in Arabia.The papers mostly consist of: correspondence between the India Office and the Foreign Office, with enclosures including correspondence between the Foreign Office and the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom; copy correspondence between the Foreign Office and Sir Reginald Wingate, HM High Commissioner, Egypt, sent to the India Office by the Foreign Office; India Office Minute Papers; and other correspondence and papers. Some of the papers are in French, and there is also a copy of a newspaper cutting in Italian.The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.1 volume (243 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.The subject 3372 (Pt 1 Arab Revolt, and Pt 2 Arabia) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/615-616. The volumes are divided into two parts, with part 1 comprising one volume, and part 2 comprising the second volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 243; 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.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

10. File 619/1907 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic:- Muscat dhows. "Kadra" case.'

Description:

The volume discusses an alleged arms trafficking incident which occurred in December 1908. The El Khadra, a dhow owned by Mubarak bin Khamis, a subject of Muscat, was seized by Italian authorities off the coast of Ras Hafun [Raas Xaafuun] on charges of arms trafficking.The volume includes the negotiations between the British and Italian Governments to find an acceptable resolution to the situation. A settlement was reached and the boat returned to its owner in July 1911.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent and Consul at Muscat (Robert Erskine Holland, and Arthur Prescott Trevor); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Percy Zachariah Cox); the Viceroy of India (Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto); the Italian Agent at Muscat (Umberto Omar); the Italian Vice-Consul at Aden (Renato Piacentini); the British Ambassador to the Court of Italy (Sir James Rennell Rodd, 1st Baron Rennell); the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey) and India (Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe); and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Tommaso Tittoni, Guido Fusinato, and Antonino Paternò-Castello, marchese di San Giuliano).This is part 2 of 10. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.1 volume (398 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.The subject 619 (Arms Traffic) consists of 7 volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/110-116. The volumes are divided into 10 parts with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 comprising one volume each, parts 6, 7, 8, and 9 comprising the sixth volume and part 10 comprising the seventh volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 398; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The front cover, along with one leading flyleaf, has not been foliated. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

11. File 1355/1917 Pt 1 ‘Peace Settlement- The Arms Traffic Convention 1919’

Description:

The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, minutes, and reports concerning arms trafficking after the war. Among the reports in the volume is a report submitted by the Committee of Imperial Defence to the Under-Secretary of State for India, Political Department, India Office. The report discussed the question to further observe the issue of arms trafficking in certain localities such as Maskat [Muscat], the Persian Gulf, Persia, Abyssinia, China and the Far East. Another report was submitted by the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department to the Secretary of State for India discussing the state of arms trafficking in the French possessions in India and the question of reaching an understanding with the French Government. The correspondence in the volume also discussed the question of arms trafficking prohibitions in Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Armenia, and Mesopotamia.The volume includes multiple copies of reports and minutes (ff 166-207) on the interdepartmental conference 'Control of Arms Traffic', held at the India office on 24 February 1919. It also includes multiple copies of a document entitled 'Draft Convention for the Control of the Arms Traffic' in both English and French. The following subheadings were covered in the drafted convention:Export of Arms and AmmunitionImport of Arms and Ammunition. Prohibited Areas and Zone of Maritime SupervisionSupervision on LandMaritime SupervisionGeneral Provisions.The volume also includes correspondence regarding the conference that took place at Saint Germain [Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Paris] to discuss arms trafficking. The conference involved the following powers: the United States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, Chile, Cuba, France, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Siam and Czecho-Slovakia. The correspondence also includes copies of the Arms Traffic Convention signed on 10 September 1919 (ff 7-32).Among other correspondents in the volume are the War Cabinet; the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, Home Office; the British delegation in Paris; and the Board of Trade.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.1 volume (296 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 1355 (Peace Settlement: The Arms Traffic Convention 1919) consists of four volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/672-675. The volumes are divided into 6 parts, with part 1 comprising one volume, parts 2, 4 and 5 comprising the second volume, part 3 comprising the third volume, and part 6 comprising the fourth volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 298; 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.

12. File 869/1904 Pt 3 'Arms traffic: Red Sea, Africa and Aden'

Description:

This volume is the third of three successive volumes of correspondence (IOR/L/PS/10/32-34), relating to the British prohibition and suppression of arms traffic between ports in Aden, the Red Sea and the coast of East Africa. The main correspondents are ministers and officials at the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Colonial Office and the Admiralty in London, as well as officials in the Government of India Foreign and Political Department and in the Government of Bombay Political Department. Other notable correspondents are the Commander-in-Chief for the East Indies Station, the Commander and Senior Naval Officer for the Persian Gulf Division, the Senior Naval Officer for the Aden Division, the Political Resident and the First Assistant Resident at Aden, and the British Commissioner for the Somaliland Protectorate. The correspondence includes naval reports about the British blockade of the Warsangli coast [Somalia] in 1908 and Aden sea patrols in 1911; the ‘Agreement between the United Kingdom, France, and Italy respecting the importation of arms and ammunition into Abyssinia signed at London, December 13, 1906’ as published in 1907; ‘The Aden Arms (Sea Traffic) Regulation, 1910’; and sample forms used for the identification and regulation of dhows and other vessels in the ports of British Somaliland, Aden and Zanzibar. There is also a small amount of diplomatic correspondence, mainly from the French and Italian Ambassadors at London to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. This correspondence includes sample forms in Italian, together with revised instructions in French that were drafted jointly by the French and Italian Governments, for the enforcement of arms traffic controls in their respective protectorates of French Somaliland, Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea.The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.1 volume (218 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 869 (Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa and Aden) consists of three volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/32-34. The volumes are divided into three parts, with each part comprising one volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 220; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.