'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎129r] (262/308)

Hoping that conditions will now permit, and that you may be disposed
to favourably report upon our proposal to the Government, we submit the
following :—
We apply for permission to build a rail road hence to D’thala via Sheikh
Othman, Lakej and Haushabee, the concession to have a term of not less than
70 years.
The Sultan of Lahej had been good enough to express his approval of the
building of a railroad through his territory.
The only physical features that can be stated in advance of a final survey
are that we propose a 24' y or 80" standard narrow gauge.
We do not ask any financial help from Government whatever, and the
fact of having a Railway to the interior will facilitate the transport of troops
and supplies and in addition will lead to the peaceful bearing of the tribes.
The foregoing proposal we are of course prepared to amplify, under notifi
cation from Government of their being interested therein.
Copies of our previous applications and the reply thereto are herewith
forwarded for easy reference.
Dated Aden, the 4th December 19021.
From— Messrs. Menahem Messa,
To —Brigadier-General P. J. Maitland, C.B., 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. , Aden.
We have the honor to ask whether Government is prepared to grant a
concession for the building of a Railway from Aden into the interior up to
the boundary between British and Turkish territory, adjacent to D'thala, and
if so, we beg to he informed upon what terms the concession would be granted
to us.
We of course are prepared to give more details upon receipt of the advice
that Government will look favourably upon the granting of a concession in this
matter to private interests.
Dated Aden, the 4th December 190£.
From—M essrs. Menaham Messa,
To— Brigadier-General P. J. Maitland, C.R., 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. , Aden.
We have the honour to request that you will be good enough to give us
copies of the surveys, and plans, and any statistics and reports which the
Government have had made and collected in connection with the proposed
Railway from Aden into the interior connecting with the Turkish Frontier
at or about D’thala, as we wish to communicate the same to our friends in
London for the purpose of enabling them to make an estimate in connection
with the project under consideration.
We hope that the Government will see their way to giving us the benefit
of the work done by them in this direction that we may the sooner put a com
plete offer in your hands.
No. 8, dated Aden, the 2nd January 1903.
From—L ieutenant-Colonel J. S. Ashby, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and First Assistant
to the Resident,
To— Messrs. Menaham Messa, Aden.
I am requested by General Maitland to inform you that he has received
your letters re a Railway into the interior of Arabia and to inform you that
there are no surveys, plans, etc., and that no proposal for the construction of a
railway is before Government.
2. Your application regarding a concession will be held over until his
return, but as no proposal for construction of a Railway is before Government,
they would naturally not be prepared at present to consider any application for
a concession.
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