File 3874/1908 'Railways:-Trans-Persian Railway.' [‎94v] (190/536)

M. Kokovtseff’s (Ministry of Finance) attitude is seen from tire
foregoing letters.
M. Isvolsky (Foreign Affairs) lias lately shown much more interest in
the project.
M. Stolypin, it is said, may be taken with the nationalist idea that the
whole scheme should be carried out on Russian capital.
M. Hoviyakoff may come to England for a month in the autumn—
e.g., from 15th September. He conceives the matter to be an entirely
private affair, but one that needs the approval of both Governments, and
must be carried out in the common interests of both. States. He there
fore thinks it most desirable that both Governments should know, quite
informally and quite privately, how the project is proceeding.
The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his
compliments to the Secretary of the Commercial Intelligence Branch of
the Board of Trade, and is directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to
transmit to him herewith copy of a paper communicated to this Of lice by
Professor Bernard Pares, of the University of Liverpool, containing
extracts, in translation, of a memorandum drawn up by M. Homyakoff,
formerly President of the Russian Duma, with regard to a scheme for
the construction of a railway destined to connect Europe with India and
the Far East by way of Persia.
Lord Hardinge of Penshurst is to request that the Branch will furnish
their views as to the commercial aspects of the scheme from the point of
view of British trade, and that a reply may be returned to this com
munication with all convenient speed in order that Sir E. Grey may be
enabled to discuss the question with Professor Pares during the course
of next week.
I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the note
addressed from your department to the Director of their Commercial
Intelligence Branch on the 16th August, enclosing print of a paper
relating to a scheme for the construction of a railway destined to connect
Europe with India and the Far East by way of Persia.
In reply, I am to forward to you the accompanying copy of a memo
randum which has been prepared by the Director of the Intelligence
Branch respecting this matter, and to state that the Board agree
generally with the observations contained therein.
Ihe Board desire me to state, however, for Sir E. Grey’s information,
that in their opinion the scheme in question is of a very speculative
character and has been put forward mainly in Russian interests. They
think with Mr. Worthington, that [the estimate of cost which has been
mentioned allows a sufficient margin for dealing with the difficulties of
the proposed route (which they take to be that referred to in the enclosed
memorandum), but they would point out that so little is really known of
Enclosure Ho. 2.
Foreign Office to Board of Trade.
(Most Confidential.)
16th August 1910.
Foreign Office,
Enclosure Ho. 3.
Board of Trade to Foreign Office.
(Secret.)
Board of Trade,
13th September 1910.
Sir,