PZ 8456/36 'Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah: particulars of writings, movements, etc. (Inc commutation of pension)' [‎52r] (103/126)

r
Draft Paper.
pz .^6y/3/ 9
1
political Department.
Lt
.-Col. Charles Bridge, DSO.,
The British Council,
32, Chesham Place,
S.W.l.
MC. ,
DRAFT LETTER.
; CONFIDENTIAL.
Copy to Mr. Lee per, F.o.
\\\. u^crttovv"!
5667 5000 2.37
FEB 1937
Will you please refer to your
to C^aVfivu N-o (WCK
letter^NoiA.Fil ■II./8/1 of 9th February,
A
regarding Ikbal Ali Shah?
He has written a good deal about
Afghanistan and represents himself to
be a subject of that country where, in
fact, I believe he has never been.
About five years ago he was on the
London staff of two English newspapers
published in India, the “Civil and
Military Gazette” and the "Pioneer’' ,
and in this capacity came in contact
a certain amount with 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. .
We found him well disposed, but a bit
of a romancer. He now does work for
the Afghan Minister, but I do not know
v/hat his position is in the Legation.
His project for an Anglo-Islamic
or Anglo-Oriental Society is
characteristically vaguett looks as
if* 1 *fc cover much the same ground
as some existing organizations. In
any case it is doubtful whether he has
the influence to carry it through. It
might, however, be useful, subject to the
views of the Foreign Office, for you to
see him, if you have time, and ascertain
in more detail what his scheme is and
how far he is able to implement it. But
you will presumably not wish to give the
project/