‘Baghdad Railway.’ [‎3r] (5/8)

<2)
10 years, by Avhich time the railway would have
become established and familiar, and the local trade
would have developed. Still 10 years is a long
time to wait for interest on your money.
4. The portions that would pay are the branches
from Baghdad to Khanakin (on the Persian border)
and from Baghdad to Nejf, via Kerbala. The
pilgrim traffic alone would make these pay, and
that traffic would brinpr merchandise in its train.
There is already a considerable transit trade from
Baghdad eastwards into Persia, via Khanakin, and
southwards to Kerbala and Xejf, and with these
routes there is no river to compete.
I know this country well, and can say confi
dently that both these branches would be easy and
cheap to make, and remunerative when made.
Baghdad is commercially a strategical centre, and
for imports it is the sea-port of that part of the
world.
Bussorah is to a large extent the sea-port for
exports, especially dates, but imports only change
steamers at Bussorah.
At Baghdad, however, imports break bulk and
change carriage. They are repacked in bales on
mules or camels, and sent off literally in all
directions, by far the larger part going eastwards
into Persia via Khanakin.
The Baghdad-Khanakin route is practically the
only trade route into Persia. Some goods go from
Baghdad via Balad-ruz and Mendali, but compara
tively a small proportion of the whole.
These branches of the railway, eastwards to
Khanakin and westwards to Kerbala and Nejf
would j)ay, and are in my opinion the only parts
certainly worth securing, if we are to take any part
in the line.
5. If we cannot secure the river traffic from
Baghdad, I think we must take part in the line,
and if so, what part ?
Our trade and influence and prestige at present
extend well up to Mosul. Therefore, 1 suggest
that Ave should take the whole of the line (including
all branches) south of Mosul. If we can get the
exclusive construction, control, and management
of this part so much the better, if not, let us get
as much as we can. What are the best terms we
can get?
I would bring this portion of the line down the
east side of the Tigris, through tlie fertile country
of Birtella, Karakush, across the greater Zab
(easily bridged), the lesser Zab (more easily
bridged), to Altun Keupri, Kirkuk, Tez Khur-
rnati, Kifri, Kara Tepe, Khauakin to Baghdad.
All these towns are of considerable size with the
exception of Tez Khurmati and Kara Tepe.
(5. Summary. —I would try for (1) the exclusive,
(2) the partial, control and construction of the line
S. 38. B