"مذكرة تتعلق بالملاحة في نهري دجلة والفرات". [و‎‎١‎٠‎٧] (٢٨٤/٢١٤)

9^^
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1897.
Sir P. Currie,
No. 57,
January 26, 1897
Enclosure in
London Chamber
of Commerce
March 13=
1897. —A letter from the London Chamber of
Commerce calling attention to the hampered
condition under which conveyance of merchandise
was conducted on the Tigris, and suggesting
remedies, was communicated to Sir P. Currie.
who, in reply, pointed out the misconception as
to the attitude of the Turkish Government under
which British merchants laboured, and showed
that the Porte had no desire to see the trade
of Turkey developed. He thought the only
practical course for the Euphrates and Tigris
Steam Navigation Company would he to have
an agent at Constantinople, who wculd interest
the officials concerned in the matter.
Sir P. Currie added that he had sent in a
note to the Porte embodying the suggestions of
the London Chamber of Commerce, and giving
arguments in favour of extending the company's
privileges, in which, however, the following
passage occurs :—
A third steamer which is in reserve cannot
be utilised, as under the terms of the Imperial
firman only two English steamers are permitted to
ply on the river"
The note went on to suggest that the Ottoman
Government should run the third steamer, placing
her temporarily, if so required, under the Turkish
flag, a reasonable commission on the steamer's
earnings being retained as remuneration.
Mr. Buchanan, acting as special agent at
Constantinople of the London Chamber of Com
merce, reported that he had talked the matter
over with M. Theodoridi, Sir P. Currie, and
Mr. Block, who were of opinion that Hassan
Pasha, the Minister of Marine, could not be
moved in any way, and Mr. Buchanan con
sidered that the simplest course wxmld be for
the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation
Company to try and obtain a controlling interest
in the existing Turkish company.
Mr. Buchanan added that he w^as informed
that the Erench had tried but failed to obtain
a concession for steamers on the Tigris.
A report showing the causes of the serious
decrease in the volume of water in the Tigris
below Amarah, w^hich, if continued, ^ould
render navigation impracticable between Kalat
Salah and Ezra's Tomb, was communicated to
the Eoreign Office by the company, and the
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