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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎113v] (235/799)

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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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To Sir A.
Ni col son,
No. 1334,
Telegraphic,
November 18,
1 ‘> 09 .
To Sir A Nicoi-
son, No. 1340,
Telegraphic,
November 23;
No. 1343,
Telegraphic,
November 26,
1909.
Sir A. Nicolson,
No. 494,
Telegraphic,
November 19 ;
No. 495,
Telegraphic,
November 24;
No. 497.
Telegraphic.
November 30,
1909.
Sir A. Nicolson,
No. 628,
November 28,
1909.
conclusion of an Agreement, thus imposing for the advantage of the
Itagdad Railway, which has a lien upon the customs revenue, an
additional burden upon the foreign trade of Turkey, of which such
a large proportion is British.
# ' # # * *
“ It is also to he observed that the contemplated participation of
British interests in the Bagdad Railway is not an advantage
additional to the Lynch Concession, but may possibly impair that
Concession, and at any rate will be in the same region. ^ Even if
the new Lynch Concession were granted and a participation of
British interests in the Bagdad Railway admitted, Great Britain
would only have a controlling interest in means of communication
in which this country has for a long time had a vested interest
through the Lynch steamers. Nothing more will have been accom
plished than what will have been essential to prevent that long-
established interest from being crushed out by new developments.”
Russia.
On the 15th November the Report of Sir H. Babington Smith’s con
versation with Dr. Gwinner was received in London, and on the 18th November
His Majesty’s Ambassador at St. Petersburgh was instructed by telegraph to
communicate its substance to the Russian Government, and to ascertain their
views as to participation in the Bagdad Railway. In the telegraphic
correspondence which now ensued the action and views of His Majesty’s
Government were made clear to M. Isvolsky. He was informed that no
negotiations had as yet proceeded with the German Government, and that
nothing but unofficial conversations between German and British financial
groups bad taken place ; that the German Ambassador in London had been
told that in any agreement over the Bagdad Railway French and Russian
co-operation must be invited; that the control of the Gulf section was the
minimum which His Majesty’s Government could accept in any settlement,
and the acquirement of that minimum was rendered the more pressing by the
possibility that irrigation would destroy the navigable character of the Tigris
and Euphrates Rivers. M. Isvolsky was informed that the British group
had pressed to have control of the Khanikin branch as well, but that His
Majesty’s Government had considered Russian interests involved, and had
refrained from supporting the proposal. It was obvious that the Bagdad
Railway would be built, with or without British and Russian co-operation,
and a decision was urgent ; meanwhile, His Majesty’s Government were in
ignorance of Russia’s views as to participation. Though His Majesty’s
Government would certainly raise no objection to negotiations between
Russia and Germany as to participation in the railway north of Bagdad,
they trusted the Russian Government would keep them informed of their ,
progress, and they could not remain indifferent if any Concessions were
made by Russia to Germany in the neutral zone of Persia.
M. Isvolsky’s first impression was distinctly unfavourable, but he was
brought to recognize the loyalty of His Majesty’s Government in the matter,
and to view the matter in a calmer and more rational spirit. On the
28th November Sir A. Nicolson wrote as follows:—
“ His present attitude may be summarized as follows : He considers
that the proposals of M. Gwinner constitute an entirely new
departure; he does not question the right of the British group or
of His Majesty’s Government to accept them, and he expects that
eventually they will do so ; he fully appreciates the loyalty of His
Majesty’s Government in so promptly informing him of the pro
posals, and of abstaining from accepting immediately proposals
which are so eminently satisfactory to British interests. He
regards an arrangement between England and Germany on the
basis of the proposals of M. Gwinner as dispelling any expectation
that the Bagdad Railway will be discussed between Germany,
England, France, and Russia. It will necessarily amount to an
arrangement between Germany and England, by which the latter

About this item

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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎113v] (235/799), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/57, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026492732.0x000024> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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