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Coll 30/58 'Persian Gulf. Anglo-Persian Relations. Persian insult to British flag at Basidu' [340r] (684/1186)
The record is made up of 1 file (589 folios). It was created in 3 Aug 1933-31 Jan 1934. 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.
1933
-ft—frfnigiMin ( timiimi i n ii - nn ! r m
PJBAPffiUBB telegram from the Seorotaxy of State for the
Colonies to the Acting Resident at Men.
(Sent 8.45 p.m. 7th September 1933).
Important.
No,24. Secret.
As a result of rumours among Arab Sheikhs
of
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
arising from the action of a Persian
naval officer about month ago of hauling down the British
flag at the British concession of Basidu it has been
decided that it is desirable that a flotilla of destroyers
should proceed to
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
at ones to shew flag. First
destroyer flotilla consisting of leader and eight
destroyers of most modem type sailed from Eastern
Mediterranean on the night of 5th September and will
roach llenjan about the 15th September. Press statement
has been issued that flotilla is on oruise to Men.
Denial is ooing issued to Press report that flotilla is
boing sent in connection with trouble between Yemen and
Saudi Arabia, and you should deny this report if it is
repeated at Men.
The flotilla is due at Men on the ICth September
by which date a further announcement will have to be made
as to its destination.
In royly to enquiries the Proas ho re have boon
informed confidentially that the flotilla will probably
'i proceed from Men to shew flag on the Arab shore ox the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
. Prose has been urged however not to make
a statement to that effect until further notice and up
to present have agreed to act accordingly. Pending
successful conclusion of delicate negotiations with
Persian Government for satisfactory amends©very effort
will be made to keep actua- ’ foronoe to Basidu incident
and
About this item
- Content
This file contains correspondence between British diplomatic and naval officials concerning an incident on 31 July 1933 when four Persian naval officers landed at Basidu (a naval station on Qishm island used by Britain) and took down the British flag in the presence of witnesses including an Italian and a Frenchman. Subsequently, a Royal Navy vessel arrived at the station and the British flag was re-hoisted.
The correspondence discusses the details of the incident itself, its aftermath and its impact on Britain's relations with the Government of Iran. It also covers what steps were taken to 'restore British prestige in the eyes of the Gulf Arabs', including details regarding the dispatch of a royal navy flotilla to the region.
In addition to correspondence, the file also contains the following:
- Relevant press cuttings regarding the incident and Britain's response (folios 78, 169, 311 and 364)
- Copy of a circular clarifying the sequence of events in Basidu that was issued by the British authorities in the Gulf (folio 11)
- 'Copy of a note dated the 14th August 1933, from the Head Clerk, H.B.M.'s Consulate, Bandar Abbas, regarding a conversation which recently took place between the Governor of Bandar Abbas and the Consulate Mirza' (folio 255)
- 'Basidu Incident' a summary of events written by J V Creagh, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (folios 329-331)
- 'Extract from Cabinet Conclusions dated 5th September 1933 - Relations with Persia, Basidu Incident' (folios 370-376)
- 'Legal Status of Basidu' (folios 398-399)
- 'Cabinet: Relations with Persia - Basidu Incident. Memorandum by the First Lord of the Admiralty' (folios 413-415)
- Cabinet Memorandum regarding Basidu Incident (folios 416-417)
- 'Foreign Office Memorandum for submission to the Cabinet on the subject of the Flag Incident at Basidu' (folios 435-440)
- A small sketch map marking the boundaries of 'British Basidu' (folio 536).
The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (589 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 591; 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 View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/3775
- Title
- Coll 30/58 'Persian Gulf. Anglo-Persian Relations. Persian insult to British flag at Basidu'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:77v, 79r:168v, 170r:310v, 312r:363v, 365r:590v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence