Part 9 comprises correspondence and other papers relating to the lifting of restrictions on trade between Baghdad and Mesopotamia [Iraq], under the Trading with the Enemy (Occupied Territory) Proclamation of 1915: the issue of certificates by the Board of Trade declaring that the wilayats [vilayets] of Baghdad and Basra are to be regarded as ‘territory under friendly occupation’ (f 324); the lifting of restrictions on trade in other areas of Mesopotamia, including Mosul and Anah; enquiries from commercial firms in Britain, relating to the resumption of trade with firms in Mesopotamia, and payments to be made to traders in Mesopotamia.The principal correspondents are: the India Office; the Foreign Office; the Foreign and Political Department of the Government of India; the Board of Trade.1 item (166 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the item.
The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Olaf Caroe), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts), the India Office (Maurice Clauson, John Charles Walton), the Secretary of State for India (Lawrence Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland), Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, Stephen Hemsley Lonrgigg, Frederick Lewisohn) and the Sultan of Muscat (Said bin Taimur Al Bu Said) regarding negotiations for the granting of two oil concessions for Dhofar and Muscat territory, which were concluded by Basil Henry Lermitte of Petroleum Concessions Limited, with the concession agreements being signed on 24 June 1937.Also discussed in the volume are arrangements for a meeting between Stephen Hemsley Longrigg of Petroleum Concessions Limited and the Sultan of Muscat, which was to take place in India, in order to discuss how they might go about exploring the South East Muscat Coast and also how to gain access to the hinterland under the control of the Imam of Muscat. Also included is a request by the Sultan of Muscat for the Political Agent at Muscat, Ralph Ponsonby Watts, to be present not only at the meeting with Longrigg but also at later meetings in Delhi where the British treaty with Muscat was likely to be discussed.Further discussion relating to exploration is included between the India Office and Petroleum Concessions Limited regarding the Company’s interest in exploring the South East Coast of Muscat and parts of the interior controlled by the Imam of Muscat and the difficulties they would be likely to encounter in attempting to do so; along with the area west of the Oman Mountain Range which Petroleum Concessions Limited were interested in ascertaining any known boundaries for, and otherwise how best to approach exploration there.Another matter of discussion within the volume is Count Byron de Prorok and his wife who had travelled to Muscat to undertake archaeological exploration, but had been refused permission to explore the interior of the country by the Sultan of Muscat. The correspondence goes on to discuss allegations made by a number of individuals and organisations that the he was not entitled to hold the rank of Count; that he had been discredited in the scientific community and could not be considered to be an archaeologist; and that a number of institutions he claimed to have the support and backing of for his explorations had issued statements refuting any involvement with him. Later correspondence discusses an application made by him for permission to travel into the Rub-el-Khali in an attempt to discover an ancient city believed to be there and the India Office’s intention of declining the request. Also included with this correspondence is discussion of a visit made by an Italian, Tullio Pastori, to Muscat and Bandar Abbas and giving Mr Pastori’s background and intentions in visiting the region to recruit labourers to construct roads in Eritrea.Other matters of interest in the volume include:discussion surrounding ongoing communication between the Sultan of Muscat and the California Arabian Standard Oil Company, who wished to undertake examinations in Muscat territory for the potential development of Petroleum resources there, and regarding such correspondence being in opposition to conditions imposed in the Sultan’s treaty with the British Government.correspondence regarding proposed amendments to the Political Agreement to be signed by Petroleum Concessions Limited and the India Office in relation to the Muscat concession.the proposed itinerary for a tour to be undertaken by the Sultan of Muscat in 1937 to India, Singapore, Japan, USA, Britain, France and Italy.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 175-184.1 volume (187 folios)The volume contains a table of contents on folio 4 comprising of subject headings and page references. 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, 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 3-174; these numbers are also written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This volume contains two types of information relating to a lavatory for the Political Agent's launch: a twenty page brochure from John Dowton and Co and then six hand drawn technical diagrams for installation of lavatory in the Political Agent's launch.1 volume (26 folios)There is firstly a brochure from John Downton and Company and secondly some hand drawn technical diagrams.Foliation: the system of foliation is the sequence of numbers appearing in the top right hand corner of each page.
The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Sheikh of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifah, the Sheikh of Qatar, Abdullah Bin Qasim Al Thani, the Political Agent in Bahrain and representatives of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO), on the division of the sea-bed between Bahrain and Qatar, notably the Hawar Islands and Deebel and Jaradeh shoals.There are letters in Arabic and a map of Bahrain (folio 45).1 file (52 folios)The documents in the file are arranged in chronological order.The foliation is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. The numbering begins on the front cover of the file, on number 1 and it carries on until 51, which is the last number given on the last page of writing. There is another foliation, incomplete and misplaced: the numbering starts with 4 on the first page of writing (folio 2) and ends with 136 (folio 31); missing folios: 6-23; 25-35; 38-42; 43-44; 49-54; 59-65; 67-74; 82-87; 88-95; 97-129; 133-135.
The file contains correspondence relating to the discussion over the proposed return of a Shī‘a judge and cleric, Shaikh Khallaf bin Ahmad al-Asfour. The discussion was triggered by a petition from Shī‘a village headmen, presented to the Political Agent, Bahrain, that called for his return from exile. The correspondents include the High Commissioner in Iraq, the Political Agent, Bahrain, the ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah]), and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).The papers cover several matters, including:a petition from Shaikh Khallaf himself, requesting permission to return and deal with his properties in the country;the question of Shaikh Khallaf's nationality;legal cases to be brought against the Shaikh in Bahrain courts.1 file (45 folios)The file is arranged in 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 47; 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 4-46; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This file contains detailed paperwork and correspondence pertaining to the appointment of wakils or representatives/court clerks at the joint courts and Agency Court. The file also contains documentation on the initiation of court proceedings by plaintiffs, usually foreign subjects, against various Bahrain subjects. Many papers pertain to the striking off of wakils from the court registers, and ensuing petitions by dismissed wakils to the agency, protesting their dismissal.1 file (120 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 122; 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 2-121; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper cuttings, maps and notes, relating to negotiations over the proposed Berlin to Baghdad Railway in the period 1910-1912.The discussion in the volume relates to the economic, commercial, political and military considerations impinging on British strategy for the international negotiations over the development of a railway to Baghdad.Further discussion surrounds the motivations and strategies of British competitors in the area; included in the volume is a copy of the Russo-German agreement.The principal correspondents in the volume include Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Sir Gerard Augustus Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople.1 volume (268 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.The subject 2764 (Bagdad Railway) consists of five volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/56-60. The volumes are divided into five parts with each part comprising one volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 269; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. Pagination: a pagination sequence in red crayon is present between ff 244-252.
The file contains correspondence sent and received by the Political Agent at Bahrain concerning commercial motor routes between Kuwait/Haifa, Kuwait/Riyadh, proposed by the Kuwait Oil Company to link Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Palestine as an alternative route to the main route via Baghdad.On folios 9-17 there are envelopes containing two copies of a 'Sketch map showing Motor Road from Kuwait to Riyadh', both of which consist of three sheets.1 file (18 folios)Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 20; 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 4-8; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The volume contains correspondence, reports and other papers relating to the Muscat Government’s finances between March 1935 and January 1941. The principal correspondents in the volume are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (chiefly Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle, who held the post up until August 1939), and the Political Agent at Muscat (chiefly Major Ralph Ponsonby Watts from June 1935 until April 1939, and Captain Tom Hickinbotham from April 1939).The volume is largely comprised of copies of the quarterly submissions received by the Political Agent at Muscat from the Muscat Government’s Director of Revenues, and then forwarded onwards to the Political Resident. These submissions include: statements of progressive receipts and expenditure for Muscat State, annual state budgets, and other items, such as cash on hand statements. The budget sheets give details of the various appointments and salaries across the Muscat Government’s various departments, including: the civil list, government employees, civil courts, Qadhis [Qādī], forts, police, defence, plus figures for transport, rations, arms and ammunition, building repairs, etc. The volume also includes correspondence between the Political Resident and the Secretary (or Deputy Secretary) to the Government of India, to whom copies of the Muscat State accounts were sent. This correspondence covers queries about the accounts, addressing discrepancies or unexpected rises and falls in the figures.At the front of the volume (folio 2) is a letter from the Political Agent in Muscat to the Political Resident, dated 11 January 1935, confirming that Saiyyid Nadir [Nādir bin Fayṣal bin Turkī] has finally accepted his reduced allowance from the State. Earlier correspondence on this matter can be found in the preceding subject file ‘File 35/137 III (A 63) Muscat state budget’ (IOR/R/15/1/450).1 volume (208 folios)The volume’s contents are arranged in chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The office notes at the end of the volume (folios 194-201) mirror the chronological arrangement. The office notes are numbered in red and black ink. These numbers refer to the red and blue pencil numbers marked on some papers in the volume, which refer to received and sent correspondence respectively. Some items of correspondence have pencil annotations indicating the folio numbers of other, related papers in the volume.Foliation: The volume is foliated from the first folio to the last folio, using circled pencil numbers written in the top-right corner of each recto. A second foliation sequence is present between ff. 2-193; these numbers are written in either pencil or red crayon, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence. Circled index numbers in red crayon can also be found throughout the volume. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1, 1A and 1B. The following folios are fold-outs: 6-7, 13,36-37, 43-46, 53-54, 67, 86-87, 91-92, 96-97, 100-101, 129-130, 134, 160-161, 180-183, 186, 194.
Correspondence and other papers relating to the Soviet Union’s demand, made to the Iranian Government during the Anglo-Soviet occupation of the country in the Second World War, for an oil concession agreement in northern Persia [Iran]. The file, which is chiefly comprised of correspondence between the British Ambassador at Tehran, Reader William Bullard, and the Foreign Office, covers: the deterioration in relations between the Soviet Union and the Iranian Governments, in the wake of the Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Sa’ed’s consideration and subsequent refusal to grant the Soviet Government oil concessions in Persia; the activities of the Soviet Assistant Commissar in Tehran, Sergey Kavtaradze, and his efforts to persuade the Sa’ed Government to grant Soviet Russia oil concessions in northern Persia; Sa’ed’s resignation in November 1944, and the subsequent political crisis in Iranian Government that ensued; descriptions of reports in the Iranian press, Soviet press, and pro-Soviet newspapers affiliated to the Tudeh Party of Iran. The file also includes a report entitled ‘An Account of the Kavir-i-Khourian Oil Concession North Persia’, prepared by the Research Department at the Foreign Office in September 1945, and illustrated with map and photographs (ff 10-21).The file includes a small amount of text in French (extracts of Iranian newspaper articles and Iranian Government laws).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 (325 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 327; 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 between ff 135-145, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This item contains papers relating to the hiring of civilian staff in Baghdad from Cairo or India following the British occupation of Iraq during the First World War.1 item (225 folios)
Part 4 primarily concerns British policy towards Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], following the outbreak of the First World War. It includes the following:discussion regarding Bin Saud's relations with the Ottoman government, and the need for the British to secure Bin Saud's goodwill, especially in the event of the Ottoman government entering the war on the German side;details of Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear's mission (as a political officer on special duty) to meet with Bin Saud, with the aim of ensuring that, in the event of hostilities between Britain and the Ottomans, no assistance is offered to the latter by Bin Saud;translated copies of letters from Shaikh Mubarak [Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ], Ruler of Kuwait, to Bin Saud, urging the latter to side with the British Government;details of a proposed preliminary treaty between the British and Bin Saud;reports of Captain Shakespear's death;reports on Bin Saud's military engagements against Bin Rashid [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd];a copy of a draft of a preliminary treaty between the British government and Bin Saud;details of proposed gifts from the British to Bin Saud of arms and ammunition captured from the Ottomans, plus a £20,000 loan.The principal correspondents are the following:Secretary of State for India [Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe];Viceroy of India [Charles Hardinge];Foreign Office;India Office;War Office;Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, Thomas William Holderness;Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox;Political Agent, Kuwait (Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey);Secretary to the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department [Alfred Hamilton Grant];Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart George Knox (on special duty in the absence of the Political Resident);Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear;Bin Saud.1 item (211 folios)