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'Minutes memos despatches etc' [‎12r] (23/156)

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The record is made up of 1 file (76 folios). It was created in 17 Aug 1916-1 Mar 1922. 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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W
-3-
been suggested 4 .-
(i) Basra or Muhamrnera - Ahwez-Bizful-IChoraDebad-
Hsmadan.
(ii) BasrS - Amaroh to Dizful thence to Hamadan by the
same route as in (i),
(iii) Basra or liuhsmmora along the line of the Karun
river and the Lynch road to Ispahan on the main
road from the south to Teheran*
Eventually no doubt there would be a tendency on
account of commercial reasons for such a line to be connected
with Tabriz giving direct railway communication from the head
of tho Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to the Bleok Sea end Caspian See.
In this connection, attention is directed to para
graphs 48 and 58 of the C.IaG.S’s Memorandum on British Military
Policy (0.1/168/460, dated 25th July, 1918). It is oonsiderod
that the principle of not allowing direct railway communication
between the frontiers of the British Empire or its Allied
States and the lines leading from the Central Powers should
be firmly adhered to. And it is pointed out that a railway
to tho head of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. would bo less objectionable"
than one to Indio, for as long as wo hold sea command the
former connection would in fact serve in the nature of a
lightning conductor as regards India.
Alternative suggestions have been put forward for a
railway from Bushiro through Ispahan to Tehoren, but it is
considered that no lino based on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. littoral,
whore the ports are inadequate end involve long distances and
great engineering difficulties, is likely to afford a
satisfactory solution. An advance through the Luristan or
Bakhtiari country would undoubtedly meet with strong tribal
disfavour and possibly opposition. Both tribes are warlike and
would fight if necessary, but their attitude towards railway
construction is not at present known, end it is possible that
if properly handled they might welcome such a novo. In any
case it is recommended that surveys should be undertaken
forthwith to discover the best route for the lines mentioned
in paragraph 5 (i), (ii) and (lii) above, as our information
is very scanty and we have no data on which to formulate any
definite scheme.
7. As our railways must be based on the 3hat-ol-Arab, the
importance is apparent of our receiving recognition of British
rights throughout as great entree as possible in Mesopotamia,
for it is ' only by this means that we shall ensure tho
ability to concentrate troops on other than neutral territory
for operations to West, ilorth and East as may be required by
possible situations in the future.

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Content

This file concerns British policy regarding Persia (and, to a lesser extent, British interests in Mesopotamia). It is largely composed of printed memoranda by George Curzon and other senior British politicians. Also included is a significant amount of related letters and despatches, as well as printed transcripts of speeches delivered by Curzon. Of particular note are the following:

  • Memorandum by Curzon entitled 'Nushki-Seistan Railway', dated 17 August 1916
  • Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee, comprised of correspondence and memoranda, dated September 1918-November 1918 (ff 5-6 and ff 10-19)
  • War Cabinet report entitled 'Railway Policy in Relation to General Military Policy in the Middle East.', dated December 1918 (ff 21-26)
  • Memorandum entitled 'Memorandum Regarding the Policy of His Majesty's Government Towards Persia at the Peace Conference.', dated December 1918 (ff 31-42)
  • Letter to Curzon from the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Samuel Montagu (ff 43-49)
  • Transcript of a speech on Persia, delivered by Curzon at a banquet given in honour of His Highness Prince Firouz Mirza Nosret-ed-Dowleh, at the Carlton Hotel, 18 September 1919 (ff 56-58)
  • Printed letters from Curzon, writing as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to Percy Zachariah Cox, British representative in Persia, dated October 1919-April 1920 (ff 60-66)
  • Transcripts of two speeches given by Curzon as Foreign Secretary, in the House of Lords, regarding the British Government's Persian policy, dated 16 November 1920 and 26 July 1921 respectively (ff 68-71 and ff 72-73).

Appended to the aforementioned War Cabinet report is a map of railway gauges across the Middle East region (f 25).

Extent and format
1 file (76 folios)
Arrangement

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

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Minutes memos despatches etc' [‎12r] (23/156), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F112/253, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069909504.0x000018> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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