File 1912/897 Pt 1 ‘Persian Gulf. British post offices [also in Turkish Arabia]’ [25r] (54/462)
The record is made up of 1 volume (227 folios). It was created in 1911-1914. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
V
D
( ('M'IDF.NTIAL.
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received
3 8 i 8
]
i J
October 1, 7‘25 a.m.)
Constantinople, September 30, 1914.
(No 897 ) R. (September 30, 7'45 p.m.)
MY telegram No. 878 of 27th September.
Arrangements have partly broken down, as my French and Russian colleagues on
reconsideration objected to presence of a Turkish official in then offices^ under any
circumstances. In consequence of this refusal, Turkish Government decline to allow
our offices to deal with any incoming mails after to-day. They say they will open such
mails in the presence of a consular representative if the postal administration in the
country of origin authorises it. Otherwise they will send the bags back.
French Ambassador has just received instructions to resist closing of his post
office, but my Russian colleague and I do not propose to follow suit. Russians
propose to transfer winding up operations to Embassy or consulate-general. It is too
late to work out a common line of action, and the whole question is one of transitory import
ance once we have decided to close the offices. I have therefore acted on considerations
of practical convenience, and instructed British postmaster to wind up outstanding
business at the Galata office within fifty-five days. He can probably do this, and
transfer lease of premises to Ottoman authorities by 31st October. I have told him
formally to claim delivery of incoming mails of 12th July addressed to him, but not
22nd July, resist [? ing] if Turks take possession. .
I have asked British postmaster to telegraph to his Department about technical
details.
I am addressing formal protest to the Porte, reserving our rights.
TcH
9 OCT 1914
K.
About this item
- Content
The volume comprises copies of printed correspondence, typewritten correspondence, handwritten notes and other papers. These papers relate to the operation of British and Turkish post offices in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. (Iraq), and British and Persian post offices in Persia and the ports and towns of the wider Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox); Foreign Office officials (Secretary, Sir Edward Grey; Assistant Under-Secretary, Sir Louis du Pan Mallet); India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. officials (including Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, Thomas William Holderness).
The volume covers the following subjects:
- communications between British and Turkish Government officials over a Turkish Government proposal to abolish foreign (including British) post offices in Ottoman territory, including: British acceptance of the proposal, with caveats, Turkish demands for the closure of foreign post offices on 1 October 1914 (f 5, f 8), arrangements for the closure of British post offices, including those at Basra and Baghdad, discussion between British Government and Government of India officials over proposed future arrangements for the transmission of mail from between India and Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. ;
- British Government correspondence relating to the Turkish Government’s plans to introduce its own mail system between Baghdad/Basra and India;
- the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf’s outline of the history of the British postal system in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and his proposals for improvements, which include the opening of new branches at Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām], Charbar [Chābahār] and Ahwaz [Ahvāz], a change of hours to the post office at Bushire, and changes to the service at Fao [Al-Fāw]) as a means of countering the Persian Government expansion of postal operations in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (ff 187-190, ff 178-179), and the Persian Government’s subsequent protestations at the opening of British post office concessions at Henjam and Charbar;
- attempts by the Persian Government, under the direction of its Belgian Director-General of Post (Camille Molitor), to open post offices within the concessionary areas operated by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) at Abadan, and within Britain’s own post office concession at Henjam.
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.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (227 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.
The subject 897 ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. : British Post Offices) consists of 4 volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/242-245. The volumes are divided into 4 parts with each part comprising one volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 229; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 1912/897 Pt 1 ‘Persian Gulf. British post offices [also in Turkish Arabia]’ [25r] (54/462), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/242, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026109551.0x000037> [accessed 19 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/242
- Title
- File 1912/897 Pt 1 ‘Persian Gulf. British post offices [also in Turkish Arabia]’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:4v, 6r:7v, 9r:74v, 77r:84v, 87r:127v, 130r:148v, 149v:162v, 163v:170v, 173r:173v, 177r:205v, 210r:210v, 213r:214v, 216r:226v, 228r:228v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence