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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [149r] (302/330)
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
aspect of a trade producer. In an isolated and undeveloped country, such as
Persia, the introduction of a railway line cannot fail to have most important
and far-reaching effects on trade. It must inevitably, as has been the case in
every country in the world, lead to the development of agriculture and other
natural resources, and nowhere perhaps do greater possibilities or room for
such development exist than in Persia. There are vast tracts of good land
everywhere lying unused and only needing the small capital necessary for
reopening the old Karezes by which they used to he irrigated. Nearer India,
it will pass close to the existing fertile tract of Seistan, whose wealth of
surplus products will at last find a market. This must automatically lead to
the rapid development of that rich country and further swell the volume of
local trade.
Next will follow in the natural course of events the exploration and develop
ment of the mineral resources of the country, which are known to exist, but
which, through want of transport facilities, have hitherto not been considered
worth investigating.
Last hut not least, the existing local products of Persia, such as ghee, hides
and grain, wool, &c., which either absence or cost of transport have made it
impossible or unprofitable to export, will become available for export and thus
will be removed what is now the principal impediment to Persian trade deve
lopment, i.e., the dearth of exports for the payment of imports.
These are great and solid advantages which will benefit British, Russian
and Indian trade alike. They should go far to compensate, through increased
bulk, British and Indian trade for the more favoured position which the new
line will give to Russian trade in its competition with ours.
10. It will, however, be imperatively necessary, in order to prevent Russia
deriving more than its proper share of these and other trade advantages, to take
steps to ensure British and Indian trade obtaining an equal start as regards
time Unless strenuous steps are taken Russian trade will be able to make use
of the new line before we can do so, and it will be difficult for us to make up
for lost time. The line should therefore be commenced simultaneously from
both ends.
Russia can commence the railway at her own door, whereas we have yet
to traverse a wide stretch of country to reach the Persian frontier. It is there
fore essential to extend our Indian Railway system to Persia by the shortest
and easiest route and to do so in the least possible time. The only route
which meets these requirements is that to Nushki.
Military and commercial reasons will ultimately necessitate a line from
Karachi, but it will be unwise to use that route in the first instance. Prom the
valuable’ railway reconnaissance made by Mr. Johns in ^ 1903, it will be seen
that a line from Nushki to the Persian border, 360 miles in length, admits of
Q.viri ranid eonstruction. It is estimated that it could be built within
length, cost * 750
lakhs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
and taKe some o years ^ ^
Karachi line to sea-borne British trade would moreover be greatly minimized
Pv line from Bandar Abbas or other Gulf seaport northwards.
line.
The 750
lakhs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
of the Karachi line are
to Kondi and adding 82
lakhs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
for the port;
mile of the Kobat-Kushki estimate.
A. H. MoMahob,
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