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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎39r] (82/330)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (163 folios). It was created in 1911-1913. 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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CONFIDENTIAL.
I
r • '* -
I
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 23, 10’7 p.m.)
' ; , ' ■ St. Petersburg!!, February 23, 1913.
{No. 65.) - (February 23, 8 '36 p.m.)
MY despatch No. 63. 1 ' '; ;
It seems to me so difficult to dispute Minister for Foreign Affairs’ contention that
alignment complete^ alters the original project that I almost think that it 'vyould be
better for us to admit this frankly,. Our condition of approval of trahs-Pefsian
Railway scheme was prompted solely by desire of collaborating with Russia, as we
never anticipated that it would prove a tinancial success or that India would derive
any benefit from it. Instead of a problematic scheme, we are now submitting
a practical one for Anglo-Russian co-operation in the construction of a railway
calculated to promote both Russian and British trade interests and to develop
Persia’s resources. Minister for Foreign Affairs’ chief wish in any scheme seems at
present to be to secure construction of a railway to Tehran. Persian Government ,
are never likely to consent to this except as part of a trunk line, and our proposal
will enable him to attain his object as well as any other. On the other hand, he may j
object to it on the ground that it will bring our seaborne goods up to the north of
Persia. Our alignment, moreover, does not fulfil conditions on which Russian promoters
of the original project based their calculations (see my despatch No. 112 of 1911) ;
while enclosure in your despatch No. 64 suggests that railway should be described
as traversing Persia from north to south.
It is important that I should know whether I am to defend our alignment as
being in our opinion the best for the projected railway that is to connect Russia and
India, whenever we consent to it being carried through our sphere, or whether I am to
put it forward as an alternative scheme on its own merits. The latter course would
be tantamount to admitting that we wish to drop the former scheme as being at
present unpractical for financial and other reasons, but I fear this iaterpretation will
in any case be placed on our proposal.
m ' ■ b ■ , j
' ' ' , ■ _ ... i

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Content

This volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed reports, a press cutting and a map, relating to the connection of the railway system of Europe to the railway system of India by the construction of railway lines through Persia.

The discussion in the volume relates to the proposal of a Russian consortium and the response of the Government of India to this proposal. A Report (No. 18 of 1911' folios 144 - 160) notes that the Government of India would do well to accept in principle the Russian proposal subject to a number of modifications. A map entitled 'Indexed Map Showing Proposed Railways in Persia' (folio 160) accompanies the report. Suggested modifications included:

  • the point of intersection of the trans-Persian railway with the Indian railway system (British preference for Karachi); and concessions for branch lines (Bandar Abbas, Charbar, Mohammerah);
  • the requirement that both main and branch lines in Persian territory be deemed international with Russia and Britain holding preponderant shares and Persia included as a participant;
  • and the use of a different gauge railway in the British and Russian zones. As a quid pro quo for their support on this matter Britain expected the Russians to cease any consideration of extending the Trans-Caspian Railway to the Persia-Afghan border.

Also discussed are the negotiations about a loan between the Société des Études du Chemin de Fer Transpersan and the Persian Government and a suggestion that the British and French governments should guarantee a substantial loan by securing it against the crown jewels.

The following topics are also discussed: the Foreign Office proposal to refer the whole question of railway development in Persia to the Committee of Imperial Defence; a draft application for the concession; a memorandum by Brigadier General A H Gordon; dispatch of instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at St Petersberg on the attitude of the Her Majesty's Government; the view of the Sir G Buchanan on the attitude of the Russian Government to the question of alignment.

The principal correspondents in the volume include: His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, the Earl of Crewe; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, E H S Clark; His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey; the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox; the President of the Railway Board; Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.

This volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (163 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 4345 (Trans-Persian Railway) consists of 1 volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 163; 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.

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English in Latin script
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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎39r] (82/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625670.0x000053> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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