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File 3047/1909 'Railways: Asiatic Turkey; railway construction in Asia Minor' [‎53r] (110/368)

The record is made up of 1 volume (182 folios). It was created in 1908-1911. It was written in English and French. 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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3S 31
[This Document is the Property of His Bri tan nic Majesty’s Government.]
”■ 1 t v ~ 01
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[July 29.]
Section 1,
[27483] No. 1.
Anglo-Persian Oil Company to Foreign Office.—(Beceived Jidy 29.)
Winchester House, Old Broad Street, London,
Sir, July 28, 1910. ^
I HAVE not had the pleasure of addressing you for some time past on the
(piestion of the Mesopotamian oil concession, as our representative in Constantinople
had given me to understand that no action would be taken by the Turkish Govern
ment in regard to the oil concession pending consideration by them of the Anatolian
Railway proposals which were put forward by Messrs. Chester and Glascow, and,
consequently, my company were awaiting news as to the result of these proposals before
taking any farther steps in the matter of the oil concession.
From the enclosed letter to our representative you will see, however, that it has been
stated here that the Chester scheme was actually accepted by the Turkish Government
some time ago, and that a party of engineers representing the American group is
already engaged in the survey of the projected railway line, and in the investigation of
the mineral possibilities.
I shall be much obliged if yon can give me any information either confirming or
refuting this statement, because, if correct, no purpose will be gained by retaining our
representative in Constantinople any longer—or by taking any further action in regard
to the Mesopotamian oil concession until such time as the Chester group have declared
whether or not they will exercise the option which they appear to have obtained.
I have, &c.
C. GREEN WAY, Managing Director.
Enclosure in No. 1 .
Letter addressed to Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s Representative in Constantinople.
Dear Mr. Nichols, Jidy 26, 1910.
I HAVE not written to you for some time as there was nothing in your letters
to reply to, and no change in the position has taken place.
The letters from you that I have to acknowledge are yours of the 9th, 14th, 23rd,
and 30th June, and the 16th instant, the contents of all of which have been read
with interest.
My object in writing to-day is to advise you that I have had a call from a
Mr. Frederick Stokes, of Constantinople—in connection with some other business—and
in the course of conversation lie stated :—
1 That the Chester a cheme was actually sanctioned some time ago.
2 . That the Americans he represents are the well known financiers, Plant and
Gould, the former of whom was in Constantinople for some months cutting a great dash,
and entertaining various members of the Turkish Government on his yacht.
3. That a party of eight engineers are now engaged on the survey of the projected
railway on behalf of this American group.
4. That Colt, to whom you referred in your last letter, is to remain in Turkey on
behalf of this group to superintend the survey and other operations.
5. That he (Stokes) has personally visited the Agana Copper Mines, and considers
that they are of enormous value, and taken into conjunction with the petroleum deposits
and the agricultural traffic, fully justify the expenditure of 15 to 20 millions on the
railway.
6. That the Turkish Government have favoured the granting of the concession to
this group because America has no political interests to serve in Asia Minor.
[2817 ^—1]

About this item

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to the construction of railways in Asiatic Turkey, 1908-1911, as well as oil concessions in Mesopotamia.

Correspondence outlines the proposal to develop a railway from Tripoli via Homs and Deir and along the Euphrates to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to compete with the Baghdad Railway. The company was designated 'The Anglo-Syrian Tripoli - Homs Railway and Tripoli Harbour Improvement Company'.

Correspondence also discusses the different consortia bidding for oil concessions in Mesopotamia and the relative significance of French, Russian and German involvement. Included in the volume is a letter (folios 49 - 153) from William Knox D'Arcy giving a 'List of Turkish concessions connected with oil now being sought'.

The principal correspondents in the volume include the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey) and the Ambassador to Constantinople (Sir Gerard Lowther).

Extent and format
1 volume (182 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 3047 (Railways: Asiatic Turkey) consists of 1 volume,

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 178; 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.

The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 3047/1909 'Railways: Asiatic Turkey; railway construction in Asia Minor' [‎53r] (110/368), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/166, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030544745.0x00006f> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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