'File 73/7 II (D 22) Status of Koweit [Kuwait] - Baghdad railway, Anglo Turkish negotiations' [‎104r] (213/540)

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[This Docmneat is the Property of Es Britaimic Majesty's 1
[A]
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA.
[June 19.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 1.
[26183]
No. 1.
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. to Foreign Office.—{Received June 19.)
Sir,
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. , June 18, 1912.
IN continuation of my letter of the lOth instant, regarding the Bagdad Railway
and connected questions, I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward,
for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a telegram
that has been received from the Government of India as to the possibility of making
concessions to the Turkish Government in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. with a view to arriving at
a settlement of outstanding questions.
The Marquess of Crewe desires me to remark that in the proposals that have been
put before the Turkish Government Great Britain is claiming nothing new, but is
asking merely for the recognition of the position which she has built up for herself
there. It is rather Turkey who desires to alter the status quo by the assertion of
claims which she has never been, and is not now, in a position to enforce. This fact
seems to put His Majesty's Government on strong ground morally for insisting upon
full satisfaction, if so valuable a consideration as the increased customs duties is to be
given in return.
If it be urged that an equally satisfactory result could be secured by a convention
strictly defining the spheres of the two countries in the Gulf, Lord Crewe has as little
confidence as have the Government of India that the semi-independent local Turkish
authorities would adhere to its provisions, or that the Porte would be able or willing to
compel them to do so except under such constant diplomatic pressure as could not fail to
disturb the relations of the two countries. The intrigues of the Turks with tribes on
the British side of the demarcated frontier near Aden and the difficulty which His
Majesty's Government have experienced in securing the elementary rights of British
subjects at Bagdad are examples, and his Lordship fears that such a convention would
merely perpetuate the state of things which it is desired to end.
On the other hand, it must be recognised that the only alternative to a friendly
settlement of these questions is the adoption of a much more resolute attitude in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. than His Majesty's Government have hitherto thought desirable. The
nature of the measures which in certain eventualities it might be necessary to take are
indicated in the Government of India's secret letter dated the 15th February last, copy
of which was enclosed in my letter of the 7th March.
With this alternative in mind. Lord Crewe concurs in the views expressed by the
Government of India.
NEGOTIATIONS regarding Bagdad Railway. See your telegram dated the
10th instant. ;
We consider that our conditions as to El Katr contain no margin for surrender,
representing as they do the irreducible minimum. As we have no confidence that any
conditions imposed, however rigidly defined, will be adhered to by the^ Porte, we feel
strongly the necessity of the complete removal from the peninsula of Turkish troops.
No concession can be suggested by us that can be made with safety to interests of
India and Great Britain, and rather than that any concession should be made to Turkey
in the Gulf we would prefer to see negotiations broken off. Strenuous^ opposition
should be offered in our interests to any step tending to consolidate Turkish position
on Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. littoral.
I am, &c.
R. RITCHIE.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe.
(Telegraphic.) P.
June 13, 1912.
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