File 2764/1904 Pt 2 'Baghdad Railway: General negotiations 1908-10.' [‎272v] (555/799)

I
We know that there is abundance of water, a vast expanse of fertile soil, and that
the levels are almost ideally convenient: consequently the only undetermined
factor in the problem is the cost of getting produce to the European market
As the difficulties to be overcome are not the same for all sections, it seems
desirable to examine each section separately :—
Alexakdretta-Aleppo Section.
The first thing on this section is to obtain permission to make any harbour
improvements that may be required at Alexandretta. Under their Concession
of 1903 the Germans have no rights in the port of Alexandretta.
From Alexandretta to Aleppo there was no engineering difficulty that could
not easily be overcome in 1872, and engineering and mechanical science has since
then made much advance.
The chief difficulty lies in the engagements which have already been made
between the Turkish Government and the French and German railways which
are to join at Aleppo. J
Article 12 of the German Conces; ion stipulates that should the Government
decide on the construction of branches joining the “line which forms the
object of the present convention ” to the sea between Mersina and Tripoli it
can give the Concession exclusively to the Germans, provided that due consider
ation shall be given to the existing rights of the French railway.
I have not been able to obtain a copy of the French Concession, but I under
stand that Article 36 of the Concession gives to the French Company a right
of preference on equal terms over any branches joining their line to the sea.
As far as the German Concession is concerned, it seems clear that the Turkish
Government is free to make a railway from Alexandretta to Aleppo should it
wish to do so, provided it gives no concession to a third party, otherwise than
in accordance with the French Concession.
Without having seen the text of the French Concession I can express no
opinion as to the rights of the French Company.
9. According to Article 21 (9) of the Cahhr des Charges of the German
Concession cereals in full w T agon loads, booked for not less than 900 kilometres
are carried at 6 paras per ton per kilometre, while the rate for cereals booked
under other conditions is 23 paras per kilometre per ton.
The rate for sheep is 4 paras per head per kilometre and that for cattle is
27 paras per head per kilometre. In the case of sheep and cattle 1 have not
found any provision for a reduction of rates on long distances.
Sesame is charged 35 paras per kilometre per ton, with no provision for
reduction in case of long distances The whole classification of merchandise
shou d, in my opinion, be examined by a traffic expert with a view to seeing
how it could be used to injure a direct railway from Baghdad to Aleppo. 8
To take one instance. If the Germans construct the Alexandretta-Aleppo
Railway and the branch from El Bajh to Hit, the distance from Hit to Alexand
retta will be, approximately, as shown below, taking the railway as a straight
line from point to point, in both cases— 6
Hit to Aleppo .. .. .. .. .. 380 miles, or 608 kilometres.
Aleppo to Alexandretta (railway alignment
of 1872) 92 m ii eSj or 147
Total
755
Hit to El Badj..
., 70
miles.
El Badj to Mosul
., 160
Mosul to Tel Habash
.. 330
))
Tel Habash to Aleppo
.. 40
Aleppo to Alexandretta
.. 92
>>
Total
.. 692
miles,
(Railway alignment.)