File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎35r] (74/330)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government]
The British group welcome the clear statement therein contained of the opinions
of His Majesty’s Government on certain points submitted for their consideration on the
9th December last. At the same time it is evident to them that if the views now
expressed are maintained the lines of the original project for an international trans-
Persian railway will have been so materially altered that none of the advantages
anticipated from the through connection with India can now be reckoned upon in
support of the scheme.
Such departure from the original idea of direct rail communication between India
and Europe will necessarily require full discussion with their French and Russian
associates in the Societe d’Etudes.
Before even this step is taken it would seem imperative to ascertain the extent to
which British railway interests in Southern Persia are capable of consolidation, as it is
only after settlement of this question that an international agreement can satisfactorily
be reached. The extent and nature of participation which, with the consent of the
British Government, should be offered to foreign interests oyer the main trunk line
(running from the Russo-Persian frontier to Bunder Abbas via Shiraz) can then be
determined.
Dealing separately with the points of your letter under reply, I venture to advance
the following considerations :—
As to (a), the British group note the clearly expressed assent of His Majesty s
Government to the principle of a trans-Persian railway project, but they desire to
emphasise the fact that the conditions now imposed by the British Government are
tantamount to converting the original Indo-European project into one mainly intended
for the development of railway enterprise in Southern Persia. In these circumstances
they would submit that, having stipulated for Government control, and insisted on an
alignment suited to political requirements, His Majesty’s Government should not at
the same time exclude the possibility of financial assistance in the future.
In regard to (6), the British group are glad to learn that their co-operation in the
Societe d’Etudes is still considered desirable on general grounds.
They note that His Majesty’s Government hold themselves already engaged to
support other interests in the following concessions :
With regard to (2), the British group are naturally much concerned to find that
His Majesty’s Government consider themselves committed in such a way as might
render an important section of territory—one, moreover, vital to any tians-continental
scheme—tributary to competing interests. #
As to (3), these last-mentioned lines remain unspecified, and until the British
group have learnt what they are, and been satisfied that they do not interfere with t e
completion of the main alignment now suggested for adoption, they cannot usefully
enter into discussion with other parties, British or foreign.
With regard to the statement that “ His Majesty s Government would be prepared
to recommend to the parties interested in the projects in the neutral sphere that it
would serve British interests if they would join with the British group of the bociete
d’Etudes,” the British group would be glad to know who are the parties interested m
r
LA]
CD
7
PERSIA.
[February 19.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 1.
[ 8021 ]
No. 1.
Sir W. Garstin to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 19.)
Sir, ^ 8, Bishopsgate, London, February 18, 1913.
SOCIETE internationale d’Etudes du Chemin de Fer transpersan.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant.
1. Mohammerah-Khoremabad.
2. Bunder Abbas-Kerman.
3. “ Certain lines in the neutral sphere.”
the projects referred to by the Foreign Office.
[2804 £—1]
28 FEB 1 SI 3