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File 6391/1928 'Persia and the Persian Gulf: method of counteracting Soviet activities on Persia and the Persian Gulf' [‎24v] (49/157)

The record is made up of 1 file (76 folios). It was created in 24 Jul 1925-29 Aug 1929. 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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instant it becomes economically profitable. So far the Soviet activities have certainly
affected it adversely, but they cannot be said to have driven out British piece-goods,
and to supply at the present sale prices the whole of the needs of Persia in prints and
sugar would require from the Soviet Government a very largely-increased subsidy
which it might not unreasonably conclude might be devoted with more advantage to
other forms of propaganda work. And indeed it seems doubtful whether the pree^ 1 -
activities are politically repaying their cost. They must invariably unsettle iue
Persian market, and the practice of lowering the price in the same place before the first
buyer has had time to clear his stock tends to make them most unpopular with the
distributors who have, in any case, no reason to welcome a fall in prices. It is doubtul
if the ordinary purchaser, when he obtains his prints or sugar at a lower rate, gives the
matter of origin much thought or has any particular feelings of gratitude to his Soviet
benefactor.
6. The conclusion would, therefore, appear to be that so far as Persia is
concerned these commercial activities must be allowed to run their course and that it
may be hoped that they will meet with the fate that generally attends an economically
unsound commercial policy. Five hundred and thirty-one bales of print are expected
here in the beginning of February, but they were transferred from a Russian boat at
Port Said to a Strick line boat and there is no sugar in the consignment. The tran
shipment is a possible sign of a slacking off in the policy of sending Russian ships to
the Gulf. Ihere have been constant rumours that the Russian consul-general for Fars
was to move to Bushire for the winter, but so far he has not put in an appearance and
the winter is well advanced. It is rumoured that the Sharq Company in Bushire are
closing down here and are seeking local agents, but have so far found none willing to
take the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
The Soviet commercial activities in Persia are undoubtedly objectionable, but it is
possible that Mr. Consul Chick takes too pessimistic a view of their success and
permanence.
7. As regards the Gulf ports on the Arabian side : the Soviet do not appear to
have yet tried to establish points of contact, and there is no evidence of any goods
being shipped to the Arab side from Persian ports, and such a course is unlikely in
view of the high tariff in Persia. The Arabs are unfortunately more interested in
providing Persia with sugar than in taking it from her. Even if the Russians could
get their goods into the Arab side, it is difficult to see what results they could effect
without local agents to carry on propaganda work coincidentally with the sale of the
goods. It would not be difficult to arrange for the exclusion of such agents, as the
Arab chiefs have little sympathy with Soviet destructive and atheistic ideas. The
Sheikh of Bahrein has stated his desire to exclude from his port Russian “ infidel ”
ships, and there would probably be little difficulty in persuading other sheikhs to do
likewise. Without the calling of ships or the presence of propaganda agents, the
import under cost price of prints and sugar into the Arab ports would appear to be
merely a waste of money, though it might possibly give an added fillip to the
smuggling trade.
8. A copy of this despatch is being sent to His Majesty’s consul at Shiraz.
I have, &c.
F. W. JOHNSTON,
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 His Britannic
Majesty's Consul-General for Fars, Khuzistan, &c.

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Content

The file contains the subject 'Method of Counteracting Soviet Activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. '.

The papers cover Russian propaganda in Persia, Soviet commercial activities in southern Persia and in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Bolshevik activities in Abadan and Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].

The principal correspondents are: the Secretary of State for India; 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. ; the Foreign Office; the British Vice-Consulate at Mohammerah; and the British Legation at Tehran.

Extent and format
1 file (76 folios)
Arrangement

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

The subject 'Method of Counteracting Soviet Activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ' consists of one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; 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.

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English in Latin script
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File 6391/1928 'Persia and the Persian Gulf: method of counteracting Soviet activities on Persia and the Persian Gulf' [‎24v] (49/157), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/1282, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100054533672.0x000032> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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