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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [65r] (134/330)
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
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3
partition of Persia* which can never become a Buffer State in any
sense that would oenefit us. A demarcated frontier line* with a. belt
of difficult arid country on our side ofit, across which no railways run,
would express a policy which nobody could misunderstand* which would be
easy to continue* and to adhere to, if relations became strained, with
?/J eve,ry chance of Popular support. A frontier does not necessar-
-ilj mean the occupation of the country by a Permanent garrison of great
strength, nor that a decisive campaign must be brought to its conclusion
in this Particular area. We should in fact have no greater resoonsibi 1i-
-ties than we are confronted with at Present, in view of the disturbed con-
-aitdon of tne country and the difficult situation which has to be faced.
Concurrently with this policy in.the interior, we should take such
steps as are necessary towards establishing a naval centre in the straits
off Banaar Abbas. It is unnecessary to give the full reasons for this as
they are already, I believe, understood and accented. The importance of ths
step is however very great to us, so much so, that the less said about it
the better. If nations with conflicting interests in these cartsfind what
our object is, we may expect bitter opposition when they realise its value
to us. Concessions or landing rights are all that is required at Present,
and there need be no talk of defences until our Naval power in the
Bast
(Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location.
is
likely to be challenged.
If we are obliged to listen to the rep resentations of the Russian
Government on the subject of the railway (suggested in the
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.
mem., as a first reason for being implicated in the proposal), we could
agree to a line from Yezd to Bandar Abbas, provided no branch lines are
made without our consent. We might let the Bandar Abbas - Karachi portion
take its time and possibly postpone its construction indefinitely from
lack of funds, for it would probably be the least paying part of the
line. But the line 4-resi as far as the coast is what the Russians are an-
-xious forand we must ensure that it reaches the sea at or West of the
straits. In the former case it would have a warm reception in a British
Naval atmosphere, and Russian influence would have less chance of pre-
--ponderating than at any ether place.
Even if temporarily postponed, I believe that a through railway
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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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [65r] (134/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625670.0x000087> [accessed 15 June 2026]
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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