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'Report and Proceedings of a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence on the Baghdad Railway, Southern Persia, and the Persian Gulf' [‎7r] (18/332)

The record is made up of 1 volume (162 folios). It was created in Feb 1909. 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. .

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Report.
ix
5. Wireless Telegraphy.
A scheme for establishing wireless telegraphy stations in the Gulf is now under
the consideration of the Government of India in connection with a general scheme for
establishing, for strategical purposes, such stations on the coasts of India. These
proposals contemplate the erection of stations at Henjam (or Jask) and Bahrein (or
Koweit) at an estimated initial expenditure of 3,BOOL and 1,050L a-year recurring.
A proposal to fit the three subsidized vessels in the Gulf with wireless telegraphy
is under consideration by 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. , Admiralty, and Foreign Office.
6 . Bank at Baghdad.
The Committee consider that the establishment of a British or British-Indian
Bank at Baghdad would further British and Indian commercial interests. If at some
future date it should appear that a temporary subvention (e.g., 1 , 000 /. per annum to
repay office expenses) would induce some banking firm of standing to open a branch
there, the possibility of giving such assistance might be worthy of consideration.
7. Railway Concessions in Persia.
The policy of His Majesty’s Government is stated in detail in the Memorandum
communicated to M. Isvolsky on the 14th October, 1908, in reply to the proposals of
the Russian Government for a joint Anglo-Russian railway from the head of the Guli
to the terminus at Julfa of the existing Russian line on the northern frontier of
Persia. (See Appendix 11.)
The proposals made to the Russian Government, it may be observed, will obviate
the danger to British interests in India of the existence of a railway under foreign
control in Southern Persia.
8 . Improvement in Trade Routes.
There can be no doubt of the benefit to trade if security from robbers and
blackmail could be established on the routes from Bunder Abbas and Bushire into the
interior. Safety is of more importance than improvement of the existing tracks,
though this also would be of material advantage. Proposals have been made from
time to time on the subject, but no definite action has been taken. The cost is great,
and the prospect indefinite of coming to a satisfactory arrangement with the Persian
Government for providing efficient guards. The Committee recognize the importance
of the subject, but do not see their way to making any recommendation
9. Bahrein.
The evidence taken shows the growing importance of Bahrein as a trade centre.
This may be attributed to the fact that the Sheikh has been rendered independent of
the Turkish and Persian Governments by the action of His Majesty’s Government, who
exercise a virtual Protectorate over the island.
(a.) Assumption by British Government of Jurisdiction over Foreigners.
It would strengthen our position in Bahrein and remove risks of interference by
foreign Powers, other than Turkey or Persia, if the jurisdiction over foreigners in the
island were placed in our hands. The Government of India should be instructed to
approach the Sheikh with the object of inducing him to prefer a request to be relieved
from the responsibility of exercising jurisdiction over foreigners. If this can be
arranged, an Order in Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. should be drawn up, the preamble of which should*
recite the circumstances in which the transfer of jurisdiction has been effected.
(b.) Protectorate.
It does not seem expedient to make the Order hTCouncil as to foreign jurisdiction
the medium of formally declaring a Protectorate. Persian and Turkish claims to
sovereignty over the island have been repudiated by us in a form to preclude the
[376] c

About this item

Content

The volume contains the following minutes and proceedings:

  • First Meeting, 2 March 1908. Evidence of Sir Richmond Thackeray Willoughby Ritchie.
  • Second Meeting, 6 March 1908. Evidence of Sir J Mackay.
  • Third Meeting, 11 March 1908. Evidence of Mr Frank Clark Strick and Mr E Lloyd.
  • Fourth Meeting, 17 March 1908. Evidence of Sir Louis William Dane.
  • Fifth Meeting, 19 March 1908. Evidence of Mr P Thomas and Mr G Lloyd.
  • Sixth Meeting, 25 March 1908. Evidence of Mr Henry Finnis Blosse Lynch, and Major J A Douglas.
  • Seventh Meeting, 30 March 1908. Evidence of Sir William Lee-Warner, and Colonel Charles Edward Yate.
  • Digest of Evidence in Order of Witnesses.
  • Digest of Evidence by Subjects.

Appendices:

Maps:

  • Folio 76. Sketch to illustrate positions of Flagstaffs at Elphinstone Inlet and Sheep Island (Musandim Peninsula).
  • Folio 87. Sketches of Approaches to Kuweit Harbour and Shatt Al Arab, compiled from various authorities.
  • Folio 118v. Map of Mohammerah and district prepared in 1850. Shows the proposed Turkish, Persian and mediating Commissioners' lines.
  • Folio 152. Sketch Maps to Shew Railways in Asia Minor.
  • Folio 153. Map showing the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and adjacent countries.
Extent and format
1 volume (162 folios)
Arrangement

A table of contents can be found at folio 4. An index to the minutes of evidence and appendices can be found at folios 154-162.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 164; 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. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence (xi, 297pp, 5 maps).

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Report and Proceedings of a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence on the Baghdad Railway, Southern Persia, and the Persian Gulf' [‎7r] (18/332), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/263, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100040910242.0x000013> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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