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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎125v] (259/799)

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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 sum would be payable by the Turkish Government in scrip at par for each
kilom etre
The admission under the proposed scheme of this scrip on Paris and London
markets would enable it to be placed at fully 3^ points adduce, or say at bSg-.
The cash yield at 83|- per cent, of 186,880 fr. in scrip would be 156,045 per kilo ;
metre available for construction purposes.
Comparative Capital in Cash to be Provided by the Turkish Government for Construction
per kilometre under the two Schemes.
Under the Bagdad convention 2,500 kilom. normal gauge, 215,289 fr. per kilom.
Under the extended system 3,600 kilom. narrow gauge, 156,045 fr. per kilom.
With the above data before us we can the more easily look into the financial aspects
of the new project and compare it, both from the point of probable construction piofits
and also eventual working results with those which may be expected from the present
Bagdad concession. . .
This is essential, for we could not ask Germany to accept so serious a ^modification
of a concession already secured unless we can show her that her material interests
would not suffer. ....
It must be understood that there is no pretence that the estimates given herein, or
the figures on which calculations are based, are correct. They are as nearly so as a
rough study can render possible. In the same way, the comparative mileages are only
approximately estimated by rough map measurements. They should be quite
sufficiently near the mark, however, to permit of fairly reliable deductions and
comparisons.
Comparative Construction Profits.
The conditions under the Bagdad convention as regards curves and gradients, &c.,
as well as the high minimum speed stipulated for are factors which seriously increase
the cost, and therefore reduce the profits to be earned on the construction contract
price of 215,289 fr. per kilometre.
Further, the unfavourable division of the gross receipts over 4,500 fr. per kilo
metre, though it may not be felt for many years to come, is undoubtedly a consideration
which ought to be provided for by some sort of reserve fund to be taken out of the
original construction profits.
We shall probably be not far from the truth if we put down the average cost of
2,500 at 140,289 fr. per kilom., and the average profit to be made on the construction
at 75,000 fr. per kilometre.
From this profit we must deduct at least 10,000 fr. per kilometre for the reserve
fund immediately above referred to, leaving 65,000 net fr. profit per kilometre on
2,500 kilom., or in all (65,000 x 2,500) 162,500,000 fr.
The cost of the Bagdad convention normal gauge line is estimated above at
140,289 fr. per kilometre. The saving in cost between such a line and a narrow gauge
line under normal conditions has been put down at about 20 per cent, or (on 140,289 fr.)
28,062 per kilometre. This gives us a comparative figure of 112,227 fr. as the cost
per kilometre of the narrow gauge line.
The sum available for construction of the 3,600 kilom. has already been shown tc
be 156,045 fr. per kilometre. Hence the probable profit on the 3,600 kilom. of narrow
gauge line would be :—
Per kilometre.
Fr.
156,045
112,227
43,818

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.

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File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎125v] (259/799), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/57, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026492732.0x00003c> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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