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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎59r] (122/330)

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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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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
I [February 4.j
CONFIDENTIAL.
[54973/12] No. 1.
Foreign Office to Sir W. F. Garstin.
Sir, Foreign Office, February 4, 1913.
HIS Majesty’s Government have had under careful consideration the letters which
you addressed to this Department on the 9th and 20th December on the subject of
the Trans-Persian Railway project.
In your letter of the 9th December, while recognising that the attitude of His
Majesty’s Government had hitherto been to reserve complete freedom of action pending
submission of the survey you were to furnish, you intimate that you do not now feel
justified in sending a delegate to Tehran to negotiate, in concert with French and
Russian associates, with the Persian Government; and, before proceeding further, you
ask that indications may be afforded to you on the following points :—
(a.) It would seem essential to learn whether His Majesty’s Government view with favour or
disfavour the prospect of direct railway communication between India and Europe via Russia.
(b.) It would appear desirable to know whether His Majesty’s Government desire British financial
interests to continue co-operation in the Soci^te d’Etudes in spite of such co-operation leading
primarily to facilitating railway construction in Northern Persia only.
(c.) In the event of His Majesty’s Government being already committed to support other
applicants for railway concessions in the British and neutral spheres, it would seem essential to learn
the scope of such concessions.
(d.) In view of the possible advancement of conflicting projects for railway service in the British
and neutral spheres, the British group would be glad to learn whether His Majesty’s Government have
any suggestions as to a solution of the situation which may arise from rival claims in this portion of
Persian territory.
I am now directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to make the following observations
on each of these points :—
(a.) His Majesty’s Government have already expressed themselves prepared to
assent in principle to the project of a Trans-Persian railway: that assent is made
subject to the following, among other, conditions :—
That no part of the line or its connections shall be constructed outside the Russian
sphere until, and in such measures as, His Majesty’s Government shall consider it
politic and feasible ; that the main line must pass through Ispahan by Shiraz, and if
it, or any branch, is continued to the British sphere, it must reach that sphere at I
Bunder Abbas ; that His Majesty’s Government do not think that the time has yet j
come for a connection between Bunder Abbas and Karachi to be made, and as there I
must be no question of making it until His Majesty’s Government consider that the |
time has come when it is desirable, the question of branch and local lines should be |
considered on their merits, and their commercial advantages should not be sacrificed |
to the project of through connection ; that His Majesty’s Government undertake no |
financial guarantee in regard to the project ; that the point where the line touches the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. shall be referred to His Majesty’s Government when the surveys have
been completed, and the arrangements for the maritime terminus, and for its control,
shall be submitted to their approval ; that the question of the gauge outside the
Russian sphere shall be submitted to His Majesty’s Government; that effective means
must be provided, to the satisfaction of His Majesty’s Government, to secure British
trade against differential treatment of any kind, direct pr indirect, on any railway
constructed under a concession obtained by the Societe d’Etudes ; that British control
must predominate in the Southern or Gulf section of any 1 rans-Persian line, or of
the branches, which may be made, and that this control shall not be invalidated by
any arrangement which may be made in regard to the percentage of other (i.e., non-
British) participation in the undertaking. _ . .
(6.) His Majesty’s Government raise no objection, regarding it as yery desirable
on general grounds that the British group should co-operate in the Societe d Etudes,
but they trust that such progress may be made in regard to a well-considered scheme
[2804 d—1]
Section 1.
[A]
PERSIA.

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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' [‎59r] (122/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625670.0x00007b> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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