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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [82r] (168/330)
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.
9
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meson,
tWoH
U.
APPENDIX.
Extracts from opinions of various Authorities.
I.
Board of Trade, 13th September 1910.
“ The Board desire ... to state . . . that in their opinion the
scheme in question is of a very speculative character and has been put
forward mainly in Russian interests ....
“ In any event, while Russian trade would probably be considerably
benefited by the construction of such a line as that proposed— and possibly
Indian trade also in a less degree—United Kingdom trade would probably
not be benefited by it to any material extent, at any rate for a long time
after its opening. The possibility, indeed, might have to be faced that the
expansion of Russian trade in the interior of Persia might take place at the
expense of purely United Kingdom trade.
“ The Board .... agree with Mr. Worthington’s view that so far
as regards through traffic, the transport of passengers would probably form
the bulk of the business of such a line, though even here the powerful com
petition of the sea route would always remain to be contended against. As
regards through goods traffic, whether to the 1 ar Bast, to Australasia, or to
the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
littoral, they do not think that the railway route would
be utilised to any appreciable extent ....
“ . . . If . . . two conditions be fulfilled, viz., a line from
Kerman to the Gulf in the control of which British influence should pre
dominate, and equal facilities for all throughout the whole railway, the Board
think that His Majesty’s Government might adopt an attitude of benevolent
neutrality towards the scheme. .....
“ The Board, however, doubt if, from a commercial point of view, the
scheme is for the present likely to prove a success oi to attiact the investing
public, unless the British, Indian, or Russian Governments, or the three
jointly, are prepared to offer a guarantee of a certain minimum return on the
capital embarked.”
II.
Chief Commissioner, Baluchistan (Sir A. H. McMahon, K.C.I.E.),
20th December 1910.
“ . . . ft is unwise to expect that the present isolation of Persia can
longer continue, or that we can indefinitely maintain freedom for India from
intercommunication by rail from the west.
“ The present proposal offers opportunities of a mutual arrangement on
favourable terms, and if we decline to take advantage of it, we may be
compelled hereafter to seek similar inter-railway connection under less
favourable conditions. i , ,
“ The proposed railway must benefit Russian trade m much largei
proportion than British trade, but it will benefit Indian trade and largely
increase the bulk of both British and Indian trade by the opening up ol
Persia
‘ It will increase the receipts of Indian railways and theieby benefit
Indian revenues. . . .
“ The military or political disadvantages of mter-railway communication
are less than might at first sight be supposed, and are largely counteracted
by the access afforded by the line to Seistan. <
“ These conclusions are arrived at on the assumption that our efforts are
directed to preventing the line destroying the autonomy of I eraia
S. 192.
0
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