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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [41r] (86/330)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
[This Document is the Property of His
Britanni c Majesty’s
Government,]
EASTERN DEPARTMENT. [April 24.]
SECRET SERIES. Sbctiom 2.
L
No. 1.
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.—[Received April 24.)
(No. 112. Confidential.)
Sir, St. Petersburg]}, April 18, 1911.
M. KHOMIAKOFF and M. Zweguintzow called on me yesterday and spoke to me
on the subject of the trans-Persian railway.
They said that the Russian group had now been constituted, and that they were
only awaiting the answers of the British and Indian Governments, expressing approval
of the scheme, to send delegates to London to enter into negotiations with the group,
which, they trusted, would shortly be formed in England. They were most anxious
that the reply of His Majesty’s Government might soon be forthcoming, as it was most
important that they should receive it before people began to leave St. Petersburgh in
another month. They both took a very optimistic view of the prospects of the railway,
and expressed the hope that a source of indirect guarantee might be derived from the
surplus revenues gained by the Russian and Indian railways from the increased freights
brought them by the new railway. -
They finally asked me to forward to you the accompanying confidential statement,
which they have since sent me in the enclosed letter.
I have, &c.
GEORGE W. BUCHANAN.
[15143]
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
MM. Khomiakojf and Zweguintzow to Sir G. Buchanan.
M. LAmbassadeur, Saint-Petersbourg, le 4 (17) avril, 1911.
NOUS avons fhonneur d’adresser ci-joint a votre Excellence trois exemplaires d’un
expose confidentiel de la situation actuelle du projet d’un chemin de fer de transit a
travers la Perse. La copie d’une partie de cet expose a ete envoyee par M. Timiriazeff,
ancien Ministre du Commerce et membre du Conseil de 1’Empire, a Mr. Huth Jackson,
gouverneur de la Banque d’Angleterre, conformement aux arrangements pris en
novembre dernier pendant les negociations poursuivies a Londres par MM. Timiriazeff et
Zweguintzow au nom du groupe russe pour la construction du chemin de fer mentionne.
Nous nous permettons de prier votre Excellence de bien vouloir transmettre ledit
expose a Sir Edward Grey et k Sir Arthur Nicolson.
Yeuillez, &c.
N. KHOMIAKOFF.
A. ZWEGUINTZOW.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
“Expose” respecting the Trans-Persian Railway.
(Confidential.)
IT can be assumed that the scheme of a trans-Persian railway, the overland route
to India, has been favourably received in England. The doubts which have been
expressed do not apply either to the idea itself, which to the belief of all will some day
be realised, or to the political aspect of the scheme, which very opportunely fills a gap
not only, in trans-continental, but even more so in British Imperial communications.
The Russian group held from the beginning the belief that the scheme could be carried
out in the near future. But it realised fully, without overrating their value, the obvious
financial difficulties which have been pointed out from many sides. Since November
last, when MM. Timiriazeff and Zweguintzow negotiated in London on behalf of the
group, it has set itself the task of studying the various financial aspects of the scheme.
[1969 aa —2]
About this item
- 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.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/307
- Title
- File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:42v, 43v:159v, 161r:162v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence