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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎9r] (26/799)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (391 folios). It was created in 1908-1910. 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. .

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
BAGDAD RAILWAY.
SECRET.
[18846] No. 1.
Trcmslation of Letter from Dr. von Gwinner to Sir E. Cassel.—{Communicated by
Sir H. Babington Smith, May 26.)
(Translation.)
(After personal expressions.) Berlin, May 21, 1910.
CONCERNING onr Bagdad negotiations, yon Lave not been quite accurately
informed, and the expressions of the German Government have not been quite rightly
understood.
It is obvious that the German Government will not consider English concurrence
in the 4 per cent, increase of the Turkish customs as an equivalent for my resigning
to you the control of the section from. Bagdad to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . You know that we
can build the Bagdad Railway without the increase of the customs duties. It is
Turkey who has the principal interest in the customs increase, not Germany. Moreover,
you demanded 50 per cent, of the capital for the last section, while Hilmi and Djavid
had told me expressly, as I repeated to you, that we must not go beyond 50 per cent.;
Hilmi, meanwhile, has fallen, and Djavid, at least for the moment, has got into a fright.
The concurrence of the Young Turk Government would also not be obtainable at the
present time for the arrangement discussed between us, as Hilmi would have had it.
But that is not Germany’s fault.
With united forces we should be able gradually to bring the Turks round to our
view ; if we oppose each other, neither will get much more than he already has ; but
we are, in this case, not only the compliant and friendly party, but _ also the beati
possidentes. The German Government has obviously no interest m seeing merely the
proclamation of an English victory. In the sense in which we discussed it, a fuendly
co-operation ought of course to be announced simultaneously, and, consequently, theie
should be a reciprocal granting of minor participations in the irrigation business and
similar matters. It is obvious that Germany cannot concur in an English monopo y
of the navigation of the Euphrates and Tigris. If, however, without a monopoly, you
wish to set up half-a-dozen English navigation companies for the development of'
Mesopotamia, I shall be delighted. Finally, it can hardly be expected that one should
come to an understanding in an affair while one finds oneself exposed to the dangei o
being opposed and maligned on that very point and everywhere else. .
For the rest, I take note that you formally resume your liberty. Practically this
makes very little difference in the facts. That the National Bank of Turkey is joint y
interested in, and co-operate with the endeavours of Mr. Ornstem and his associates
was stated by Sir H. Babington Smith himself to Baron von Marschall.
Accordingly I say, with Shakespeare—
“ Fight valiantly,
But eat and drink as friends.”
In this spirit I greet you, as yours always obediently, ■ mnsio-ned}
[2738 cc—1J

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper cuttings, maps and notes, relating to negotiations over the proposed Berlin to Baghdad Railway in the period 1903-1907.

The discussion in the volume relates to the economic, commercial, political and military considerations impinging on British strategy for the international negotiations over the development of a railway to Baghdad in particular.

Further discussion surrounds the motivations and strategies of British competitors in the area; included in the volume are four maps.

The principal correspondents in the volume include the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord Lansdowne, Sir Edward Grey), His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople (Sir Nicholas O'Connor), the Under Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Charles Hardinge, Sir Thomas Henry Sanderson), and for India (Earl Percy, Sir Arthur Godley), the Viceroy of India (Lord Curzon of Keddleston), the Secretary to the Political and Secret Department of the 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. (Sir Richmond Richie) and the London Manager of the Imperial Bank of Persia (George Newell).

Extent and format
1 volume (391 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 2764 (Bagdad Railway) consists of five volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/56-60. The volumes are divided into five parts with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 392; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 329-358; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front cover.

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English in Latin script
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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎9r] (26/799), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/57, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026492731.0x00001b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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