'File 73/7 II (D 22) Status of Koweit [Kuwait] - Baghdad railway, Anglo Turkish negotiations' [‎210r] (425/540)

As regards the local recognition of Turkish authority in Katr, two facts may
be cited:—
1. Herr H. Burchardt, one of the only two Europeans who has travelled
through El Hasa, wrote in 1906 :—
" Die Tiirkei beansprucht noch das Gebiet von Odeid mit Wakare und die
Insel Delna; in Wirklichkeit reicht ihr Einfluss nicht weiter, als
Gewehre und Kanonen tragen. Steuern erhebt die Pforte hier nicht."
2. In 1908, when the Bu Ainan tribe wished to settle at Zobara, they applied
for permission not to the Turkish authorities, but to the Shaikh of Bahrain.
(Received on 29th July 1912, with Political Secretary's letter No. 28, dated 12th July
1912.)
Immediate and Confidential. ; I ndia O ffice,
P. 2613. ? ' 8th July 1912.
S ir, r :
I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter No. 28322, dated the 4th instant, forwarding the draft of a memo
randum respecting the negotiations now in progress with the Turkish Government
which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs proposes to communicate to the
Turkish Ambassador.
As Sir E. Grey is aware, the Marquess of Crewe holds the view that British
participation in the Baghdad-Basrah railway is desirable in the political, strategical,
and commercial interests of this country, provided that thereby British control,
in whatever guise, of the construction and administration of the line can be effec
tively secured; but on that condition only. Understanding, therefore, that for
reasons which Sir E. Grey is satisfied are sufficient, it is no longer possible to obtain
participation on that condition. His Lordship is disposed to think that it is prefer
able to withdraw opposition to the construction of the railway without British parti
cipation, and by making (under suitable safeguards) this valuable concession to the
Turkish Government to establish a claim to the acceptance by them of our proposals
regarding the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in their entirety. He, therefore, concurs generally in
the terms of the draft, and is. of opinion that the conditions therein laid down are
such that Great Britain can safely stand aloof from the railway scheme.
A memorandum is enclosed containing a few suggestions on points of detail;
also a marked map showing the approx-
Copy with Political 2613/1912. imate of Kuwait) and a d S cr ip.
tive note.
Lord Crewe is inclined to doubt the advisability of appending to the memo
randum a note on El Katr. It will not convince the Turks, and it may only pro
voke a reply. If, however. Sir E. Grey thinks that some rejoinder to the Turkish
case is absolutely necessary, his Lordship concurs in the annex proposed, which
(he understands) has already been communicated privately to the Turkish repre
sentatives.
He is not aware of the nature of the " separate paper as to the treatment of
certain British imports " referred to in paragraph 6 {a), but he assumes that it re
lates entirely to the matter in hand. He would be strongly averse from extending
the scope of the present negotiations to questions connected with tariffs in general
or the treatment of British cotton goods in particular.
In conclusion. Lord Crewe wo aid suggest that when this memorandum is com
municated to the Turkish Government it should be made unmistakeably plain
that it represents in principle the last word of His Majesty's Government. He is
aware that Sir E. Grey is of opinion that it may be necessary to accept modifica
tions in detail. But while it would, of course, be inadvisable to indicate even so
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