‘File 28/16 Jurisdiction over neutral ships in Bahrain & Kuwait’

Content

The file comprises copies of correspondence, instructions and other papers relating to questions of jurisdiction over foreign (neutral) vessels in Bahrain and Kuwait waters, and British officials’ legal powers over the crew of such vessels. The correspondence was provoked by a specific incident in which a German national was found to be amongst the crew of a Scandinavian tanker, the Aase Maersk , due to call at Bahrain. The file’s principal correspondents include: 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); Admiralty officials; and officials at 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. , including the India Office’s legal adviser.

The file includes:

• a copy of signals from the Admiralty, dated 13 October 1939, outlining the action that can be taken against ‘enemy aliens’ on board foreign vessels, travelling as either passengers or crew members (ff 21-22);
• secret instructions, issued by the Foreign Office in July 1940, regarding the circumstances under which enemy subjects may be removed from neutral ships (ff 30-31);
• a copy of amended paragraphs (numbers 42 and 43) of the Detaining Officers’ War Instructions (India), 1935 (ff 34-35).

Extent and format

1 file (36 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 38; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-37; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

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.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/2/704

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/16

History of this record

Date(s)

21 Oct 1939-13 Oct 1940 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Second World War (1939-1945)

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘File 28/16 Jurisdiction over neutral ships in Bahrain & Kuwait’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/704, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000061> [accessed 27 August 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000061

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000061/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content