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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎155r] (314/330)

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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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7. Other points of difference could be indicated, showing the advantages
of the Siberian Railway as a through route as compared to the usefulness of a-
line connecting India with Russia; but the main difference i« that the Siberian
line connects Europe by a short route with a larsje cosmopolitan population in
the Far East, and opens up a cheaper route th?in the sea route lor trade
commodities, whereas the use of the through line between Russia and India
only offers an alternative route to passengers between England and India with
the disadvantage of a convenient and cheaper sea route to compete against,,
serving all the ports and different parts of the coast of India. Asa through
line, therefore, between England and India, the scheme commercially
has nothing to recommend it as a means of carriage either for goods or
passengers.
8. Considering now the position of the line as a commercial proposition,
from the point of view of its probable local traffic and the stimulus which it?
would give to the consumption of articles of foreign manufacture in Persia,
a development of trade would certainly follow the construction of the line, hut
it does not necessarily follow that English trade would benefit much by it It
seems obvious that Russia, and other European countries adjacent, would have-
a great advantage over England in developing the trade of Northern and West
ern Persia, but India should secure the trade of Southern Persia and Seistan.
9. As a railway proposition, however, it is not a scheme which one could
rocommeud the Government of Ionia to have anything to do with from the
financial point of view ; but the line is one of quite an unusual character and
it has to be considered from other points than those affecting railway finance.
10. The attitude of India towards the scheme must obviously be largely
based on the political situation. It seems clear that both Russia and Germany^
intend exploiting Northern and "Western Persia and, if this cannot be avoided,
the main point for consideration would see n to be to decide how the inevitable-
can be turned to some use for India and the Empire as a whole.
11. In the original Russian note, enclosure No. 1 to Secretary of State’s
despatch No. 32, dated 4th November 1910, great stress is 1 dd on the neces
sity for the project being international. The words used are “ ue could hardly
hope for success if we started by dividing the line geographically into a Russian
section in the Russian sphere of influence, and an English section in the
English sphere”. From the telegram from the Secretary of State, dated
the 30th December, however, it seems probable that Russia and Germany aro
coming to terms, which looks very much as if the international character of
the through line would be put m the background, Russia with Germany’s
consent making the line a Russian one in North Persia.
12. That North Persia will be opened out by a railway which will either
be international or Russian seems certain and what India has now to do is to
take advantage of the present position to consolidate itself in Southern Persia.
The c urse indicated seems clear, and it is to welcome cordially the proposed
through line as an international railway and to agree at once to make as part
of the Indian Railway system a line from Nushki to some phnt in Seistan
which is suitable for a junction with the international railway,
13. The ready acceptance by India of the international scheme would be
a" useful card in the direction of counteracting the negotiations now in
progress between Russia and Germany which may lea l to .Northern Persia
being opened out by a Russian railway wi h the same objects as were in
mind when the Manchurian line was constructed to Port Arthur.
14. At the same time it would politically seem to justify India taking
immediate steps to begin making the line from Nushki to Seisran, as practical
evidence of its desire to carry out the international scheme and to do its share
as soon as possible. Whatever might be the eventual outco ue of the proposed
through line, India, at any rate, would have secured access on its own rails to
Seistan and South Persia, whether the through line were made or not.
15. The line from Nushkt to Seistan, which should be made solely by
India must cross over the border and have its terminus in Seistan at a place
suitable ior a big railway terminus for reasons of practical railway working.

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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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [‎155r] (314/330), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/307, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036625671.0x000073> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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