Coll 17/34 ‘Iraq. Tour in the Persian Gulf of H.M. Ambassador in Iraq’ [9v] (18/98)
The record is made up of 1 file (46 folios). It was created in 10 Feb 1940-28 Jun 1940. 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.
neighbour, it might have been inferred that the small independent States would
look to Iraq for support against Saudi Arabia. I was told, on the contrary, that
feelings towards Iraq range from indifference to dislike. Iraq, with its modern
pretensions, its assertion of centralised government against its own local sheikhs,
and its Effendi-ruling class at Bagdad, does not appeal to sheikhs, who still
maintain a patriarchal form of government. Ibn Saud is the Arab leader whom*
they respect, and against possible Saudi expansionist ambitions British protection
is felt to be adequate.
A ir-Cauditioning as an A id to Efficiency.
13. The value of air-conditioning in combating the disabling effects of
extreme and prolonged heat was brought strongly to my notice. When I asked
officials of the Bahrein Oil Company how their American and British staff had
withstood the climate, I was informed that the incidence of sickness had at first
been very high, but had been reduced to what was normal in America, chiefly, it
was believed, by the installation of air-conditioning. On the Arabian mainland
the American company had air-conditioned the quarters for all their American
staff, not only at the principal camp at Dhahran, but even in the small portable
cabin dwellings in use during construction work at Ras Tanura. At Abadan
the general manager of the Anglo-Iranian refinery, which provides its staff with
cheap facilities for the rent of air-cooling apparatus, told me that its installation
was worth anything up to an extra two hours’ useful work a day during the
summer. It is not only the wealthy oil companies who care for their staff in
this way. At Fao similar apparatus has been installed on most of the dredgers
for the British staff and been found to contribute a great deal to their well-being.
Such assistance for British officials elsewhere may have to await the conclusion
of the w T ar, but it will perhaps nevertheless, be helpful for those concerned to have
the above evidence on record for the future.
14. In conclusion, I wish to record my gratitude to 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.
and to the Political Agents. Mr. Weightman at Bahrein and
Captain Hickinbotham at Muscat, without whose assistance my tour would not
have been possible. Mr. Weightman and Captain Hickinbotham invited Mr. Man,
who accompanied me, and myself to be their guests and could not have done more
to make my tour as enjoyable as it was both interesting and, I believe, instructive.
At Sharja on my outward and return journeys Captain Howes, the Assistant
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.
temporarily stationed there, went out of his way to enable me to
put the short time at my disposal to the best use.
15. I am particularly indebted to the Royal Air Force, to Air Vice-Marshal
Smart, who made it possible for me to fly as far as Muscat, and to Wing
Commander Thomson, who took Mr. Man and myself as passengers. Without
the advantage of this swift initial flight, a tour would have taken so long, or
have afforded so little time at the two places of chief importance, that it would
hardly have been feasible.
16. I have sent copies of this despatch (without its lengthy enclosure) to 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.
at Bushire, the Air Officer Commanding at Habbaniya, His
Majesty’s Ambassador at Cairo (for the information also of the Combined Middle
East Intelligence Centre) and to His Majesty’s Ministers at Jedda and Tehran,
to whom I have included the sections of my report headed “ Muscat,” “ Bahrein,”
“ Dhahran and the Coast of Masa " and “Ras Tanura, Safwa and Qatif.”
17. For handiness of reference a small Imperial Airways map is attached.( 2 )
„ I have, &c.
BASIE NEWTON.
( s ) Not reproduced.
About this item
- Content
The file contains papers relating to a tour by Sir Basil Newton, HM Ambassador to Iraq, to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the Gulf of Oman, visiting Sharja [Sharjah], Muscat, Bahrain, Basra, Fao [Al-Faw], and Abadan.
The file mostly consists of the following:
- Correspondence between 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. (Roland Tennyson Peel) and the External Affairs Department of the Government of India.
- Correspondence between 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. and the Foreign Office.
- Copy correspondence between Newton and the Foreign Office, including a copy of a despatch from Newton to Viscount Halifax (Edward Frederick Lindley Wood), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, containing Newton’s impressions and observations formed on the tour, and enclosing an account of his tour.
The file includes a divider, which gives lists of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (46 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 49; 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.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 17/34 ‘Iraq. Tour in the Persian Gulf of H.M. Ambassador in Iraq’ [9v] (18/98), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2896, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045796755.0x000013> [accessed 29 March 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2896
- Title
- Coll 17/34 ‘Iraq. Tour in the Persian Gulf of H.M. Ambassador in Iraq’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:48v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence