File 357/1919 Pt 2 ‘RAILWAYS IN PERSIA’ [‎189r] (382/1150)

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7 . I would venture therefore to suggest that we should hold aloof from any 'ft
• y'-v 13 r \nn i o Ti 1 f -\-p -k» -i 1 ttt ^ ±_ 1 txx • v II
| tele
a tthepl?® Ce ^intervention in the Persian policy of railway construction. Were we in a position
°ssiblvnr lailC 3irectly to affect that policy, I should give different counsels. It is my conviction
At by attempting to stem the current we should merely be splashed with mud that
ion to J**Emboldens me to recommend this policy of inaction. I do not suggest, indeed', that
initial i ^‘ our attitude should be purely and absolutely negative. I would take every suitable
o di tM p'Jyfccasion to bring home to the Persians that their railway scheme is neither so wise
■m '"'i ' m so remunerative as it looks. I would encourage them to think for themselves and
-to realise the dangers. And I should insist that British industry should
iear!l ^obtain a fair participation in the orders and contracts which this railwaywill entail ' 1
e J,, "'H The material, it seems, will be put up to tender; the rails for the northern sector, if
_ 1 PrGSeilt f'U|; . f-ViA Khali’s PYCrpi vpi crn nnrl i n rl oorl f onfoof j \ i
‘ tlipM' 1 we exclude the Shah s extravagant and indeed fantastic scheme of a foundry situated
iHllll steroff (l I Persia itself, will, it is said, come from Germany in transit through Russia. The
t t V ? ^ rails for the southern sector will be purchased in the cheapest market. As regards
, b 8 actual construction, I understand from Mr. Poland that only the most difficult sectors
’ llt tJ )e (1% will be constructed by foreign contract, the easier work being done by native labour,
hp supervised by American engineers. There will be certain sections, however, of
at ^ Goyerit intricate levelling, tunnelling and bridging where the assistance of experienced con-
uperiicial. Ty struc tion firms will have to be invoked. So soon as these sectors have been surveyed,
Pom Mr. Pok specifications will he issued and tenders invited. I am assured by Mr. Poland that
• ns l sa y. no discrimination will be exercised and that British firms will be given due notice and
equal opportunity. I am not unhopeful of the result.
8. I venture to hope that the opinions and proposals above outlined will meet
with your approval.
9. Copies of this despatch are being sent to the Government of India and His
Majesty’s High Commissioner for Iraq, Bagdad.
I have, &c.
R. H. CLIVE.
by a foreign h
' calculate atij
e no provision!
’aywillineviti
r and this deficitii
ate the extent®;,
fiat the line wilh
tsiders the spi
fiy section fml
nation will !»
r e optimism wl
ialise that thei
ganda, will kit
o come to their i
a
[E 1236/201/34]
No. 2,
Sir R. Clive to Sir Austen Chamberlain.—{Received March 14.)
103.)
3ir, Tehran, February 25, 1927.
in its final fori WITH reference to my despatch No. 93 of the 24th February relative to the
apprehensions, ^Gway Construction Bill presented by the Persian Government to the Assembly,
aust also bees] ^ ave ^ le f lono ur to report that this Bill was hurried through the Majlis and passed
at a special sitting in the afternoon of yesterday. I enclose herein the final text as it
emerged from the debate, and in the form in which it was passed. I would observe,
however, that this text was obtained from shorthand notes and that the official text
will not be available for some days. It will be sent by next bag.
2. You will observe that by the insertion of Article 5 the Majlis hope doubtless
to forestall criticism on the part of the important regional interests who may consider
themselves unfairly treated. It is to be doubted, however, whether the heavy expendi
ture entailed by the trunk line will leave any money available for the construction of
further railways.
I have, &c.
R. H. CLIVE.
mood of Mtii
would necessity
ires of His if
mention, Mt
aroused. It®!
ter any caveat fc
instruct me t«!
fie south,
tain that it V
n- -- -
, The coif!'
kitpos?®'
on in :
i press y;
tie co®® 1 ''* 1 ;
they n# 1 ®,
,ted ,U
theft. 1 ®: #
p Persia
an aft®'
Enclosure in No. 2.
Railway Construction Bill as passed by the Majlis on February 24, 1927.
Article 1. The Majlis authorises the Government to start the construction of
? e railway line at both ends between Mohammerah, Khor Musa and Bandar-i-Gaz,
via Hamadan and Tehran, according to the trace to be specihed by the engineers, and
0 s Wrt the primary operation of this work at once after the approval of this Act.
Art. T The Government is authorised to invite tenders from foreign and native
construction companies and to give contracts for construction or material, whether
o e obtained locally or from abroad, to the bidders whose bids will be nearer to the
111 eies t ail d profit of this country according to the Act for general accounts.
\
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File 357/1919 Pt 2 ‘RAILWAYS IN PERSIA’ [‎189r] (382/1150)

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File 357/1919 Pt 2 ‘RAILWAYS IN PERSIA’ [‎189r] (382/1150)

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