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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎111r] (226/330)

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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 M ajesty's Government!]
f s
[A]
PERSIA.
ONFIDENTIAL.
P
/s V, Q I
i 912
[December 10.J
Section 1,
[52802]
No. 1.
S/r E. Garstin to Foreign Office.—(Received December 10.)
(Confidential.)
gi r 8, Bishopsgate, London, December 9, 1912.
I BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential letter of the 23rd November
on the subject of the Trans-Persian ftailway project.
From the exchange of views which has taken place since the commencement of
discussion on the Trans-Persian Railway project, the standpoint of His Majesty’s
Government is understood to be that, while reserving their complete freedom of
action, they would, on submission of a detailed report by the Societe d’Etudes, be
prepared to consider on their merits the proposals of _ the “ societe,” and after
consultation with the Government of India they would indicate their views in detail
as to the principle and manner in which they would wish the Societe d’Etudes to
proceed in the execution of the project in question.
JP In the meantime, the position, as set forth in your letter, would appear to be as
follows:—
His Majesty’s Government are agreeable in principle to supporting the Societe
internationale d’Etudes in negotiations with the Persian_ Government for obtaining a
concession, giving an option for a trunk line across Persia contrived for the establish-'
ment of through transit facilities between the Russian and British Indian railway
systems.
Z .The support of Sir Edward Grey is qualified by obligations on the part of the
British group to obtain at the proper time the approval of His Majesty’s Government in
regard to—
(a.) Alignment;
(b ) Board’s constitution;
(c.) Representation of British interests ;
(d.) Percentage of construction orders for British market ;
(e.) Freight and passenger rates ; and
(/.) Gauge.
In addition to this the British Government express their inability to support the
demand for any option on branch lines outside the Russian sphere, and they, moreovei,
stipulate that the option (if obtained) shall not be exercised in that portion o eisian
territory where British control and political interests predominate (that is, in the
neutral and British spheres) until His Majesty’s Government deem this course politic
clUcl •
/.In regard to terminal facilities on the coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. or of the Indian
Ocean, Sir Edward Grey now expresses grave concern at the contemplation ot this
aspect of the Trans-Persian project. . . . , ,i
Finally, the Foreign Office suggest postponement m the conclusion between the
British and Russian groups of an agreement which was purposely submitted at the
present stage with the object of obtaining for British and Indian interests such
safeguards in the future on tariff and other matters as His Majesty s Government may
indicate as politic and desirable.
iTJt will be useful here to examine the motives which prompted responsible financial
houses in this countrv to consent to the examination of this Trans-Persian Railway
scheme, as well as the "steps which have led up to the present phase of negotiations
O.In Julv 1911 a visit was paid to this country by certain Russian promoters of the
scheme, whose favourable reception was solicited by M. Kokovtzof, the present Russian
Conversations which were held in London with a view to an Anglo-Russian
combination for promoting this project failed to elicit the co-operation of Bntish financial
interests.
[2729 k —1]

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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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎111r] (226/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625671.0x00001b> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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