'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES. 1903.' [‎42r] (90/120)

APPENDIX.
77
The maximum contemplated speed of trains is 90 km. (55*9 Speed,
miles) per hour between stations, and 75 km. (46*6 miles)
inclusive reekonirnr.
It is desired that express trains may be able to cover the
distance from Constantinople to Baghdad in 55 hours.
On the original plans the concessionnaires estimated that
passengers and mails could be conveyed from London to Bombay
in 10 days 23£ hours, allowing for six hours delay at Constan
tinople and at the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. terminus. Taking the time of
transit from London to Bombay via Suez at 14 days 16 hours,
the concessionnaires claimed an advantage for their route of
3 days 16| hours.
The company is to give the Turkish Government facilities for Telegraph,
the construction of telegraph lines aloug the route.
The company undertakes to construct terminal ports. At Terminal
Haidar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. port works have been in progress for some P orts -
time, and have reached a useful stage.* The site for the Persian
Gulf terminus has not yet been determined, but Koweit and
Umkasr have been proposed (see pp. 23 and 29).
The concession to the new company is for 99 years from March Duration of
1903, and will run concurrently with that to the Anatolian Kail- concession,
way Company, which has been renewed for the same term.
It is understood that the railway must be completed and open
for traffic within eight years, unless delays occur for which the
company cannot be held responsible.
The convention of March 1903 applied specially to the con- Financial
struction of the first section, viz., that between Konia and conditions.
Eregli, but it is understood that the financial conditions apply to
the whole line.
The Turkish Government guarantees to the company 11,000
francs (400/.) per kilometre, together with an additional 4,500
francs (180/.) per kilometre for working expenses.
The Turkish Government obtains the money by the conversion
of a 5 per cent, loan (understood to be the Fisheries Loan of
1888) into a new 4 per cent, loan on similar security, which it is
stated will amount to 60,000,000 francs (2,400,000/.).
The terms of the concession dealing with mining rights, taxes,
division of profits, &e., are not of sufficient interest to be given
here.
Note.—They existing line from Haidar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to Konia taps
country of great agricultural value.
The country between Konia and Adana is particularly suited
to wheat growing, and districts on either side of the Konia-
Eregli section of the proposed line are already producing large
quantities.
° The port was formally opened on 13th April 1903.