File 2764/1904 Pt 4 'Baghdad Railway: Anglo-Turkish negotiations; proposals of Turkish Govt; status of Kowait' [‎271r] (546/674)

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Pgcnmsat is the Property of His Britannic
i-iyt
Majesty’s Govenunsn)-. 1
EASTERN DEPARTMENT.
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SECRET SERIES.
[7880]
’ 21MAB1911
J IP ■
[March 16.]
Section 2.
(Secret.)
Foreign Office to Board of Trade.
’ T am r , i t a u . T1 , Foreign Office, March 16, 1911.
i t ^ ^ liec! ] e( ^ Secretary Sir Edward Grey to transmit to you, to be laid
.eoi® e ‘ ,oa:! Ci or Irade the accompanying copies of correspondence between this
department and the India Ofiice on the subject of railway construction in Mesopotamia
and, incidentally, m South-West Persia.*
Copies of tbe^papeis leferred to m that correspondence are enclosed herewith.
Sir Edward Giey would be glad to be furnished with the detailed observations of
the Hom’d of Trade in regard to the points raised in this correspondence in so far as
they affect. British trade ; in particular he would like information as to whether
Bntish-Indian trade would be adversely affected by the imposition of lighter transit
lates on goods going towmrds the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. than on goods going in the) opposite
direction. In this connection I am to draw the special attention of the Board to
articles 24 and 25 of the “ Cahier des Charges,” and to invite comment as to how far
those articles could be rendered prejudicial in their operation upon British trade.
. Edward Grey is of opinion that it is important to consider what steps coidd be
devised to ensure equality of treatment for British commerce if a system of inter
nationalisation were arranged for the Gulf sections of the Bagdad Railway such as
would not allow a preponderating control in capital and on the Railway Board to this
country. This point is raised, as you. will perceive, in the letter of the 16th March
Irom this department to the 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. ; and before forming a final opinion on the
matter, Sir Edward Grey would be glad of the technical and detailed advice of the
Board of Trade. He would also welcome any further criticism on the proposals now'
made by the Turkish Government (see Sir G. Lowther’s despatch No. 139 of the
1st March).
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY.
* 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. , March 3; to 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. , March 16; Sir O. Lowther, No. 139, March 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.
(telegram from Viceroy), March 8 ; Sir G. Lowther, No. 56 (Telegraphic), March 5; to Sir G. Lowther,
No. 56 and No. 61 (Telegraphic); “Times” Extract, March 6, 1911; Bagdad Railway, “Cahier des
Charges.”
[1932 ? —2]