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File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway' [12r] (28/330)
The record is made up of 1 volume (163 folios). It was created in 1911-1913. 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. .
Transcription
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[This Document is the Property of His Britarmir, Majesty's Government.]
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PERSIA.
[February 27.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 2.
[9426]
No. 1.
Mr. Stuart (War Office) to Mr. Campbell.—(Received February 27.)
My dear Campbell, War Office, February 27, 1913.
REFERENCE your query of Tuesday afternoon last, “Is a railway line from
Khanikin to Ispahan feasible from the engineering point of view by alternative
alignments—(a) in the Russian sphere ; (b) in the neutral sphere ; and (c) partly in both
the Russian and neutral spheres.”
I can find nothing to show that the tract of country in question has ever been
examined with a view to railway construction between Khanikin neighbourhood and
Ispahan.
From the information available in the maps, military reports, and route books
which I have been able to consult, and in the absence of any report on the country
from the technical railway point of view, it is only possible to give a general opinion
on the points of reference for what it is worth.
The region in question is one of the most mountainous in Persia, and the
mountain ranges have a marked trend from north-west to south-east; any railway
from Khanikin to Ispahan must ascend the Persian plateau and more or less cut across
these ranges.
The region in the Russian sphere (north of line Kasr-i-Shirin-Ispahan) is better
populated, more fertile, and better watered than the neutral sphere region; the
physical difficulties to be encountered also seem to be less formidable.
Railway construction from Khanikin to Ispahan in either sphere would be a
difficult and costly undertaking, and maintenance of a line would be expensive. A
technical and more detailed examination would be necessary to say whether a railway
would be economically feasible under the conditions.
Subject to the above remarks, it would seem that probably a route feasible for a
railway could be found somewhat on the following general alignment, practically all in
the Russian sphere :—
Khanikin - Kasr-i-Shirin - Kermanshah - neighbourhood of Hamadan (perhaps
branching off east about Kangavar)-Sultanabad-Ispahan.
Such alignment has the advantage that from Kangavar on to Ispahan it conforms
to the natural trend of the mountain ranges ; snowfall in winter might be a difficulty
in certain places.
It appears that any alignment in the Russian sphere south of the above (e.g.,
south-east from Kermanshah) would encounter great physical difficulties.
No alignment partly in the Russian and partly in the neutral sphere seems
feasible.
In the neutral sphere, even taking a roundabout alignment to the south, I do not
think any alignment will be found that would be feasible except at^mmense cost.
To sum up, therefore—always subject to my introductory remarks—I think that
a feasible, though costly, route could be found within the Russian sphere, but that
probably no alignment, feasible without prohibitive cost, could be found in the neutral
sphere.
Yours sincerely,
A. G. STUART.
[2804 dd—2]
About this item
- Content
This volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, printed reports, a press cutting and a map, relating to the connection of the railway system of Europe to the railway system of India by the construction of railway lines through Persia.
The discussion in the volume relates to the proposal of a Russian consortium and the response of the Government of India to this proposal. A Report (No. 18 of 1911' folios 144 - 160) notes that the Government of India would do well to accept in principle the Russian proposal subject to a number of modifications. A map entitled 'Indexed Map Showing Proposed Railways in Persia' (folio 160) accompanies the report. Suggested modifications included:
- the point of intersection of the trans-Persian railway with the Indian railway system (British preference for Karachi); and concessions for branch lines (Bandar Abbas, Charbar, Mohammerah);
- the requirement that both main and branch lines in Persian territory be deemed international with Russia and Britain holding preponderant shares and Persia included as a participant;
- and the use of a different gauge railway in the British and Russian zones. As a quid pro quo for their support on this matter Britain expected the Russians to cease any consideration of extending the Trans-Caspian Railway to the Persia-Afghan border.
Also discussed are the negotiations about a loan between the Société des Études du Chemin de Fer Transpersan and the Persian Government and a suggestion that the British and French governments should guarantee a substantial loan by securing it against the crown jewels.
The following topics are also discussed: the Foreign Office proposal to refer the whole question of railway development in Persia to the Committee of Imperial Defence; a draft application for the concession; a memorandum by Brigadier General A H Gordon; dispatch of instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at St Petersberg on the attitude of the Her Majesty's Government; the view of the Sir G Buchanan on the attitude of the Russian Government to the question of alignment.
The principal correspondents in the volume include: His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, the Earl of Crewe; Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, E H S Clark; His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey; the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox; the President of the Railway Board; Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in Baluchistan.
This volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (163 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 4345 (Trans-Persian Railway) consists of 1 volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 163; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/307
- Title
- File 4345/1912 'Trans-Persian Railway'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:42v, 43v:159v, 161r:162v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence