File 5646/1918 'Persia and Mesopotamia: future telegraphic arrangements' [‎115ar] (239/303)

0
to Baghdad would
ry traversed by the
atages.
iit k ‘ Fao ” route, a
line 50 years.
: or such a landline,.
;ly, bearing in mind
line connecting the
us. Pahneira, and
a land line could be
(3) A first-class telegni
materially assist ?
line, besides poss
(4) Such a line would \
Turkish route thj
It is difficult at this stage
but the following suggestions i
the present and possible future)
A route that offers certain
proposed Mediterranean cable
thence along the Euphrates to
Looking at the country lyi
built from Suez to Akaba, following the pilgrim route, and on to the head of
the I eisian Gull at Ivoweit or fao. there are, however, two objections to a
line of telegraphs across Arabia ; the first lies in the lact that there are two
unfriendly tribes to be met with who might cause frequent interruptions, and
the second adverse factor is that were the Company’s route to link up with the
cables of the Indo-European Telegraph Department in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the
important land lines now worked by that Department between India and
Teheran would have no through connection with Europe.
The first objection referred to above, namely, the liability to interruption
by unfriendly tribes, might be got over to some extent by erecting a wireless
station at Akaba or some such suitable spot and another at the head of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. at Eao or Koweit. This would ensure through communication at
all times and might be of considerable strategic value. The Company would
be willing to entertain the proposal, if it were thought that a land line between
Akaba and Koweit (or haoj would/be a practical proposition.
Were there to be a protectorate as far north as Alexandretta and some
security for the investment of money in telegraph communications across
Palestine, the route could follow the present line of communication with Baghdad
via Aleppo, Deir, Ana. From Baghdad the present Kanekin line could be
followed to Teheran.
It would probably be expedient to improve the line now existing between
Alexandretta and Baghdad and Baghdad-Kanekin-Teheran, making it a first-
class line capable of carrying important through traffic.
This line follows the River Euphrates and has many advantages over any
other route, not the least being easy access to water. As an alternative, an
entirely new line could be constructed from a more southerly point such as
Beirout, Jaffa, or Gaza, across Northern Arabia straight to Baghdad, or
joining the line along the Euphrates at some convenient point.
I am informed that this country has been surveyed, and offers no
insuperable difficulties to the erection of a line of telegraphs, but I am not
conversant with the conditions obtaining and I am not sure what would be the
attitude of the Arab tribes. There would be some difficulty in procuring water.
The important principle that might be considered by the Government
Departments concerned, and the principle that immediately concerns the
Company, is whether it is expedient for the Company to avoid Russian
territory altogether, or to limit its use to that of a spur or alternative route or
to replace the present aerial communication across Russia by a cable or cables
between England and Egypt or Palestine via the Mediterranean.
As an alternative to a cable all the way, it should not be difficult to
arrange for a wire or wires across France to Marseilles, making that port the
starting point for the cable. I understand there would probably be no
difficulty in our leasing from the General Post Office the necessary wires in
cables between this country and France.
A further suggestion that might be considered is communication by
land line via France and Italy, and a cable from Italy through the Mediter
ranean, but I am under the impression that this would necessitate the building
of a line through Italy.
The line built by the Company in Russia is now Russian property. It
reverted to the Russian Government when the concession to the Company was
renewed in 1699. The section of the line in Persia remains the Company’s
property, and could be used for carrying local traffic between Russia and
Persia.