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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎149v] (303/330)

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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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To facilitate action when the time comes, it would appear advisable to
start railway surveys from Nushkr Robat and Bandar Abbas with the least
possible delay.
11. Of the financial success of the line itself I do not think that there
is any reason to be sceptical. Whatever the discomfort of the long rail journey
compared to that by sea to Europe from the East may be, it is but reasonable
to expect that the majority of travellers will be tempted to use the former
route, either from motives of economy or from desire to traverse the
countries through which the line will run. This will apply not only to
travellers to and from India but to those between Australia and China.
The number of through passengers on which the estimate of income is based
may appear large at first sight, but I do not think that it is unduly so. On
the other hand, I am inclined to think that the receipts from local passengers
have been under rather than over estimated. The amount of local traffic which
a railway creates even in the most unpromising areas is often surprising. As
an instance of this I may quote the line from Quetta to Nushki. When the
construction of the line was under consideration the prospect of a remuner
ative local traffic was hardly thought worthy of being taken into account
owing to the seemingly uninhabited area it traversed. Nevertheless, the
amount of local traffic has been such as to convert what was feared would
he an unremunerative strategic line into a commercially profitable one.
Similarly, there is considerable reason to suppose that the line onward will, in
Persia, develop a local traffic of a more extensive and lucrative nature than
that now estimated for.
Incidentally the through traffic on the proposed line will tend to increase
the receipts of the Indian systems to a very considerable extent, by attracting
many passengers through India who would otherwise travel by sea without
setting foot in this country. It is necessary to give due credit to this factor,
and also to the additional income from the carriage of the increased bulk
of Indo-Persian goods on Indian lines, when considering the question of
guarantees to the new undertaking.
12. It is necessary next to regard the proposal from the political and mili
tary point of view. This can best be done together, as the difficulty of separat-
ing political from military considerations is very considerable, and for this
reason only do I venture to trespass on military ground.
We are now brought face to face with new problems, and strong though
the inclination may be to avoid their consideration by opposing the proposal
ab initio, it is necessary to tackle them seriously and impartially.
In the first place, the proposed railway line through Persia involves the
necessity of ensuring its safety throughout its length. It is unreasonable to
expect a lucrative passenger or goods traffic, if the line has to run, in turn, the
gauntlet of Bakhtiari brigands or disappointed and exasperated Afghan gun
runners. It will have to be safeguarded from both.
The existence of the line will itself facilitate measures for dealing with
troubles of this nature, but the real difficulty which the protection of the line
involves is one common to several other questions connected with its construc
tion and maintenance, i.e,, its relation to the future of the Persian Government.
In this case the adequate protection of the line affects the future not only
of a railway but of a^ nation. On the ability of the Persian Government to
meet its responsibilities in regard to the line depends the consolidation or dis
integration of Persian autonomy. On this again depends the effect of the line
on the military and political problems of India.
Needless to say that any support we give to the present proposal should
he based on the determination to prevent its adoption leading to the disinte
gration of Persia, and all our efforts should be directed towards making the
line a means of strengthening the authority of the Persian Government.
13. Assuming that we enter into the project only on the above under
standing, we can now consider the more important problem, i.e .;—
What effect will the existence of the proposed line have on our position
m India ? Given assurance of perpetual continuance of amicable relations

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.

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English in Latin script
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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎149v] (303/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625671.0x000068> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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