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File 2764/1904 Pt 3 'Baghdad Railway: general negotiations 1910-1912.' [‎228v] (467/544)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (268 folios). It was created in 1910-1912. 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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2
employed, and if a foreign staff is required to work the railway when completed, would
application he made to this country for suitable candidates, and would this country be
given equality of treatment with others in regard to the posts to be filled ?
Then His Majesty’s Government, realising the immense importance of the railway
as constituting the future highway for fast traffic between this country and the Indian
Empire, feel confident that the Ottoman Government will appreciate the necessity of
selecting as the terminus of the railway a point best adapted to economy of time.
His Majesty’s Government are advised that there is a consensus of opinion amongst
those interested in shipping that the most suitable place for a port would be the
harbour of Koweit: there ocean-going steamers of large tonnage could enter at all
states of the tide and at all seasons of the year and, within a few minutes of leaving
the open sea, could come alongside a quay wdiere passengers and merchandise might,
without loss of time, be transferred to the railway adjoining.
On the other hand, the town of Bussorah is obviously not suited for the maritime
terminus of a great trans-continental railway: situated as it is several kilometres
from the mouth of a river which presents exceptional difficulties of navigation,
especially at times of drought, if it became the terminus it would entail, even in
the most favourable conditions of tide and weather, a delay of from ten to twelve
hours in reaching the open sea: moreover, the tendency of modern steamers is to
increase in tonnage, and ultimately the larger vessels would not be able to approach
Bussorah, with the consequence that transhipment to smaller vessels would be
necessary.
His Majesty’s Government are further of opinion that, in view of the great
predominance of British trade interests in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , it would only be just
that British contractors should build the harbour at Koweit; if His Majesty’s Govern
ment agreed to the customs increase while merely insisting that Turkey herself,
and not Great Britain, should control the line of railway between Bagdad and the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the least they could expect would be that Turkey should allow Great
Britain to construct, and to have a share in the control of the port at Koweit: indeed,
short of some arrangement of this nature, it would be quite impossible to satisfy
British public opinion and to defend the assent of His Majesty’s Government to the
increase of customs.
His Majesty’s Government, in making this proposal to the Ottoman Govern
ment^ have an earnest desire to co-operate with them in an amicable settlement of a
question which, if it remains in suspense, may give rise to much inconvenience in
future.
There is one further point to which His Majesty’s Government wish to draw
attention: their desire that the Ottoman Government should consent to the removal
of existing restrictions on the borrowing powers of Egypt: they feel confident that
the Ottoman Government will not fail to recognise how reasonable is this request,
and to take it into their favourable consideration.
From certain observations which his Excellency the Minister of Finance has made,
His Majesty s Government are led to conclude that the Imperial Ottoman Govern
ment would deprecate the assent of the Powers being made subject to conditions to
be embodied in a formal convention : His Majesty’s Government fully realise the
importance of this consideration and, with a view to meeting the wishes of the
Ottoman Government on the subject, they would suggest that the Ottoman Minister
for I oreign Affairs should address to them a note, which if desirable could be regarded
as confidential, conveying assurances with regard to the points enumerated in this
communication: in such an event, and on learning that the other Powers had notified
their assent to the Ottoman Government, His Majesty’s Government would be prepared
to agiee 1 ^ a n increase of the customs for an initial period of three years, terminating
in pril 1914 when the seven years during which the former increase was to continue
will come to an end.
If, at the expiration of the period in question, the arrangements which have
been outlined were being executed in a satisfactory manner, His Majesty’s Government,
w o aie keenly interested in the economic prosperity of the Ottoman Empire, would
ma e no dimculty m assenting to the continuance of the increased duties (up to 15 per
i cent 0 l or a further period, subject to the agreement of the other Powers.
Foreign Office, July 29, 1910.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper cuttings, maps and notes, relating to negotiations over the proposed Berlin to Baghdad Railway in the period 1910-1912.

The discussion in the volume relates to the economic, commercial, political and military considerations impinging on British strategy for the international negotiations over the development of a railway to Baghdad.

Further discussion surrounds the motivations and strategies of British competitors in the area; included in the volume is a copy of the Russo-German agreement.

The principal correspondents in the volume include Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Sir Gerard Augustus Lowther, Ambassador to Constantinople.

Extent and format
1 volume (268 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 2764 (Bagdad Railway) consists of five volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/56-60. The volumes are divided into five parts with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 269; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. Pagination: a pagination sequence in red crayon is present between ff 244-252.

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English in Latin script
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File 2764/1904 Pt 3 'Baghdad Railway: general negotiations 1910-1912.' [‎228v] (467/544), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/58, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100064831520.0x000044> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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