‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [456r] (910/949)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
6
Please see preceding notes Major Cox’s views are still awaited to allow of a reply
being sent to the secret desp.tch from His Majesty’s Secretary of State for India, No. 16, V 5
dated 19th May 1905. A diatt telegram is submitted for approval enquiring from 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.
when his report is likely to be received.
C. O’H, T.,-7-7-05.
8.7-05.
It might issue.
C. Somees Cocks.
8-7-05.
L. Russell.
Telegram 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.
, No. 2612-E.B.,
9th July 1905.
DATED THE
Enquiring when his report may he expected about the flagstaffs erected in the
neighbourhood of the Musandim promontory.
Telegram from 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.
, dated 9th
10th) July 1905.
(received the
Reports that he awaits a reference from the
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.
at Maskat in
respect to the flagstaffs on Mmandim, and on its receipt will telegraph
his views.
For information. May await further communication promised.
C. O’H. T.,—10-7-05.
11-7-05.. C. Somers Cocks.
11-7-05. L. Russell.
From the Political Secretary,
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.
, No. 23, dated 9th (received the 2Gth) J
June 1905. * *
f
Communication from 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.
to the Foreign Office, dated the 2dth
May 1905, forwarding for information copy of his despatch to the
Government of India, dated 19th idem.
Telegram from 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.
, dated 14th
15tb) July 1905.
(received the
$
Intimates his opinion and that of Major Grey in regard to the re-occupation
of the Telegraph Island.
We have now to consider what reply should be sent to the Secretary of State’s Despatch y
9th May list. Major Cox s views coincide with the conclusion arrived at by His ' ! *
of 19th
Excellency in bis Mitfute of 6 th October 1902 and as pointed out by Assistant Secretary (E),
nothing has since occurred to alter the force of His Excellency’s observations.
It is admitted that the only hindrance to our re-occupation of the Island is the Anglo-
French Agreement of 1862. It was just a year and a half ago that we pressed for the
* Page 13 of Notes iu Secret E., May 1904, Nos. abrogation ol this Treaty [vide His Excellency’s
75 - 121 . note of 26th* February 1901.) And again in
asking for our opinion on the proposal of the French Ambassador to substitute for the pending
Arbitration a draft Agreement, one of the clauses of which proposed the renewal of the
+ Pro. 239 in Secret E, October 1902, Nos. Engagement of 1S62, we strongly deprecated its
221-263. renewal [vide telegram of 13thf April 1901).
The question then for consideration is, with a favourable decision from The Hague Tribunal
on the
Dhow
A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean.
Arbitration Case, might not we again move for the removal of this barrier to
our p dicy in Maskat and the Gulf of Omtn? If such a course is feasible we might wellhold
over the present question which apparently does not call for an immediate decision, and await
the results of The Hague Tribunal, a decision from whom is expected within the course of the
next month, i e., not later than the 21th August 1905.
%r>. 7--*/
H. A. G.,—15-7-05.
C. O’H. T.,—15-7-05.
About this item
- 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 View the complete information for this record
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‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [456r] (910/949), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/359/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093227832.0x00006f> [accessed 25 June 2026]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F111/359/1
- Title
- ‘Persia – especially Seistan’
- Pages
- front, 2r:194v, 195v:196r, 197v:199v, 200v, 201v, 203r:272r, 273v:275v, 277r:405v, 408r:408v, 409v, 411r:413v, 414v:419v, 420v:424v, 425v:432v, 433v:435v, 436v, 437v:443v, 444v:471v, 473r:475v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence
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