| Description | Folder with unbound typescript diary of John Lawrence Baird describing his journey beginning in London and ending in Berlin, passing through Turkey, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Russia, meeting the resident diplomats and discussing matters of strategic interest. 223 sheets quarto.
During the trip by boat and train to Turkey, discussions with British and Turkish officials about the current political situation, threats of war, the Irish question. At Istanbul, discussions with Sir Charles Marling, British Ambassador to Turkey, and other officials and residents about the political situation and current diplomatic relationships with Turkey. En route east, inspects work on Anatolian Railway near Adana. From there to Alexandretta and on to Tripoli, then to Aleppo. On 6 September Baird leaves Aleppo on his trip along the Euphrates; description of the countryside and the people On 9 October, he reaches Baghdad; discussons on British policy for the area with J.G. Lorimer, the Consul-General. Baird also reports his discussions with Heinrich August Meissner ("Meissner Pascha"), the German engineer, and a Scottish engineer referred to only as Tod. Baird is concerned that German control of the Baghdad to Basrah railway will be very damaging to British interests because of the cheaper prices at which German goods could be offered in the East.
Baird describes various features of agriculture, land ownership, and other practices in Mesopotamia. He lists navigation companies operating on the Tigris. From Baghdad he proceeds by river to the Persian Gulf and holds discussions with Francis Crow, British Consul in Basra, about the German interest in the area. From there, Baird sails to Bushire [Bushehr] and holds discussions with the Resident, Sir Percy Cox, and separately with the Persian Governor on the situation in Iran and its strategic importance; the Resident puts forward an argument for a Viceroyship of Southern Persia under effective British control. The Governor also states he would welcome British assistance. Mention of a proposal made by Admiral Slade to Churchill that Britain should purchase the oilfields of Persia and India; this could be done for some five or six million pounds. Visit to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's refinery at Abadan on 24 October; Baird notes that of a staff of 24, 23 are Scotsmen.
Baird then holds discussions on the strategic position with Major Lionel Haworth, British Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], with Mr Ritchie, manager of the oilfield, and others; description of AIOC operations. From there, he sets out on a cross-country trek to Ispahan and arrives there on 4 November; descriptions of the country, villages and inhabitants on the way. At Ispahan, consultations with the Consul-General, Thomas Grahame, and other residents.
On 10 November Baird leaves for Teheran, where he is received by the Regent, and holds discussions with British officials others, including the Persian Treasurer-General Joseph Mornard and the Russian Chargé d'Affaires M. Sabline, on the Persian situation and the competing positions of the British and Russian Empires there. Baird describes one problem for the British; officers who have served in India are used to "a position of unquestioned supremacy" and have difficulty in adjusting to being merely primus inter pares.
Baird goes on from Teheran via Baku (discussions with Ronald MacDonell) to Moscow, where he arrives on 20 November, and St Petersburg to discuss the situation with the Chargé d'Affairs Hugh O'Beirne. Then he returns via Berlin, where he has discussions with [...] Boyle on the mood of Germany. |