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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎336v] (671/949)

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The record is made up of 1 file (475 folios). It was created in 7 Nov 1901-23 Aug 1905. 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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Tbleoram fkom His Majesty^ Sbcrptary or Stater Ind.a, deted the 2:!^ («ece,ved
23rd) April 1904.
Enanb-es whether we have any other information as to the invalidity of the
Persian claims to the islands.
FEOM TEE OEEICUT.MPOUI.CAtEEEEDBKT IN THE PERSIAN Geee, No. 107 , BATED the 15 th
(received 23rd) April 1904t.
In continuation of his telegram of the 10 th April, intimates that the Persian
flag L also been hoisted on Ahu Musa. Forwards copes of corves-
pondence on the same subject.
Two receipts— ... q •
(1) The entire question of the Persian claim to the islands m ( |" e ^ 10 ^ as and
ed in Proceedings No. 104 of External A., September 1^88, JNos. IV*, ana
there are no papers previous to those referred to therein.
We may reply to the Secretary of State as in the draft below.
m In bis letter Colonel Kemball informs us that the Persian flatf has been hoisted on
Abu Musa as well. This calls for some action m addition to that alreac y
proposed with regard to Abu Musa when it was originally reported that guards
only have been placed there,
p. C.y—23*4-01.
C. H. C.,—23-4-04(.
The Secretarv of State may he referred to the papers cited in our telegram of to day to
Tehran. These seem conclusively to disprove the Persian claim 11
mpntion of the appeal made by the Chief of Shargah (wie Colonel Kemba 1 s letter of the 15th
> April just received) and of the details reported by the Commander of the Lawrence of wha
took place at Abu Musa.
I submit a draft for consideration.
14-4.04.
C. L. S. Russell.
I agree. Draft is for approval. Copies of the papers received with Colonel Kemball s
letter should go home by next mail.
24-4-04.
C. H. Hill.
The letter has arrived very opportunely. The draft telegram is for lour Excellency s
approval.
24-4-04.
24-4-04,
L. W. Dane.
C[urzon].
\
i
t
G, C. Press, Simla,-No. 2*5 F. D.-26-VM,-50.

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Content

This part contains papers mostly relating to British interests in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

It includes a copy of the Board of Trade Commercial Intelligence Committee ‘Report received from Mr. H. W. Maclean, the Special Commissioner appointed by the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the Board of Trade, on the conditions and prospects of British trade in Persia.’

A handwritten note at the front of the file, on folio 5, states ‘Spare copy of notes & correspondence of the “Helmand Control” file (with maps)’. Folio 110 consists of handwritten notes, including one dated 27 April 1904, which states ‘The secret Helmand papers have been printed up, and a set, with necessary maps, is submitted for H.E. the Viceroy to take to England.’ Much of the file concerns the question of controlling the water of the Helmand river and irrigating its whole delta, and the work of the Seistan Arbitration Commission to arbitrate between Persia and Afghanistan on the question of rights to the water of the Helmand in Seistan.

The file also includes reports by W A Johns on reconnaissances of potential railway routes made while he was attached to the Seistan Arbitration Commission, and other papers relating to railways and roads in Persia.

In addition, the file includes copies of the following Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, which reproduce received Foreign Department correspondence on the following subjects: ‘Selection of a British naval base in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .’, November 1901, Nos. 74-83; ‘Visit of His Excellency the Viceroy to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. during November-December 1903.’, February 1904, Nos. 33-127; ‘Establishment of telegraphic communication with Henjam. Question of the selection of a naval base in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Aggressive action of the Persians at Tamb and Abu Musa; their claim to the Islands.’, June 1904, Nos. 300-388; ‘Reports of the Commercial Mission to Persia.’, June 1905, Nos. 45-111; ‘Question of retaining flagstaffs erected in the neighbourhood of the Musandim Promontory’, August 1905, Nos. 288-307.’

The file also includes: brief handwritten notes written by Curzon on headed paper belonging to the Viceregal Lodge, Simla, relating to Seistan and to Lord Kitchener’s planned reforms for the reorganisation and redistribution of the Indian Army; and a printed copy of the report ‘A Note by Major H.L. [Herbert Lionel] Showers, C.I.E., on the present state of affairs in Kelat and a review of the system of Administration now being pursued.’

The file includes four maps: ‘Map of the Tail waters of Helmand River’ (13 July 1903), f 122; ‘Plan Shewing Proposed Routes for a Railway from Nushki to Afghan Frontier near Robat’ (10 April 1903), f 139; ‘Extract from Admiralty Chart No. 753. (Entrance to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ).’ (October 1901), f 219; and ‘Sketch of route Ram Hormuz to Fellahieh.’ (April 1904), f 230.

Extent and format
1 file (475 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in no apparent order, apart from the Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, folios 231 to 474, which are arranged in chronological order.

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎336v] (671/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227831.0x000048> [accessed 14 July 2026]

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