Skip to item: of 167
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

Coll 7/32 'Persian Gulf: supply of arms and ammunition to the Shaikh of Qatar' [‎48r] (95/167)

The record is made up of 1 file (82 folios). It was created in 9 May 1935-28 Aug 1939. It was written in English. 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.

Apply page layout

Reference:-
S«10804/1/Air•I
SECRET
Air Headquarters,
British Forces in T
H i n a i d i*
Iraq,
l^th December, 19So«
ARMS FOR THE SHAIKH OF QATAR .
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to your express
letter No«896-S of 1930 dated & 7 th November in which it is
stated that the Shaikh of Qatar is anxious to afrail him
self of the ad'fcantages accorded to him under that clause
of the Treaty with Government by which he is
permitted to import 500 rifles annually*
I agree that no opposition should fee made to
the purchase of this years quota provided that the
rifles bought take standard .503 ammunition of British
manufacture. There appears to be no valid reason for
pressing the Shaikh to buy standard short Lee Enfield
rifles as used by the British armed forces: he may be
able to arm himslef from other sources at a cheaper
price. But, as an inducement to buy British, it might
be pointed out to him that if he purchases our standard
weapon, facilities for repair and inspection could be
periodically provided.
I suggest that if the Shaikh wishes to pur
chase his full annual quota in future years, the matter
should be referred to me before agreement is given.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
your obedient servant,
Sd. W.G.S. MITCHELL,
Air Vice Marshal,
Commanding British Forces in f Iraq.
The Honourable 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. ,
The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. ,
Bushire.

About this item

Content

Correspondence regarding requests from the Shaikh of Qatar ('Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī) to import arms and ammunition, under the terms of his 1916 treaty with Britain.

The correspondence documents attempts to convince the Shaikh to purchase British-manufactured arms and ammunition, on the grounds that, should an emergency situation arise, the Government of India would be in a better position to fulfil Qatari demands for ammunition and spare parts. The correspondence also discusses British concerns that the Shaikh intended to sell the imported arms, that arming Qatar would lead to tensions with Ibn Sa'ūd, and that Germany could increase their commercial and political influence in the region if the Shaikh equipped his army with German munitions. The file also includes a small quantity of correspondence with BSA Guns Limited, regarding orders for arms and ammunition and applications for the requisite export licences.

The primary correspondents are the 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. Political Department, the Government of India Foreign and Political Department, 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. , the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, and the Air Officer Commanding British Forces in Iraq.

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).

Extent and format
1 file (82 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 83; 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. An external leather cover wraps around the documents; the inside front cover has been foliated as f 1.

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

Coll 7/32 'Persian Gulf: supply of arms and ammunition to the Shaikh of Qatar' [‎48r] (95/167), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2200, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036313388.0x000060> [accessed 10 May 2024]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100036313388.0x000060">Coll 7/32 'Persian Gulf: supply of arms and ammunition to the Shaikh of Qatar' [&lrm;48r] (95/167)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100036313388.0x000060">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002e2/IOR_L_PS_12_2200_0096.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002e2/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image