"مذكرة عن السكك الحديدية الفارسية" [ظ‎‎٥] (٨/٨)

Indo-European Telegraph Company, proposed to construct it (29). Politi
cally its importance is not so great, since it would lie in the zone already
under British influence.
ic) Bushire via Aliabad, connecting with a Bunder Abbas-Shiraz-Ahwaz
line.—The difficulty here lies in the mountainous nature of the country
between Bushire and Shiraz, and the Government of India were opposed to
a railway between the two places (40). Correspondence has recently been
proceeding as to the possibility of using motor transport by the hiruzabad
route, as suggested by Mr. Chick, Commercial Adviser at Bushire (61).
[d) Bunder Abbas via Shiraz to Ahwaz. —Apart from any commercial
advantages it may possess (30), this line, or a concession for it, would be
useful as blocking in the neutral sphere of Persia the advance of any line
from Bagdad (36).
23. The Persian Railway Syndicate. — A proposal that has recently been put
forward by “ The Persian Railway Syndicate,” a group representing the Oil
Company and others, affords some hope that of the lines mentioned (a), (b),
and (d) may eventually be constructed, in the order named, under British
auspices. r lhe financial side of the (question may be simplified thiough the
recent engagement by Persia of American financial advisers, and the employ
ment of Swedish officers for the gendarmerie should help in restoring order
where railways have to pass.
J. E. F.
India Office, Political Department,
3rd July 1911.