"ملف 53/6 (D 2) شؤون الكويت ١٨٩٨-١٨٩٩" [و‎‎٧‎٧] (٥٥٤/١٥٣)

[This Bocament ie the Property of Ear; Bntanmc Majesty's Government.]
rr
A
ASIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[August 5.]
Section 1.
No. 1.
Mr. de Bunsen to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received August 5.)
(No. 426. Confidential.)
My Lord, Constantinople, August 1, 1898.
I HAVE the honotJr to transmit a translation which I have obtained privately
of a Petition recently presented by Count Kapnist, nephew of the Russian
Ambassador at Vienna, to the Ottoman Minister of Public Works, applying-/or the
Concession of a railway from Tripoli, in Syria, to the Persian Gulf.
The course of the proposed line is not quite clearly shown in the document, but
as a right of preference is demanded for constructing branch lines to the north from
Horns and Miadin (Meyadin), it would seem that it is intended to take the line
through those two places. From Miadin its course seems to lie in the general
direction of the Euphrates as far as Nedjef, whence there is to be a branch for
Kerbelli and Bagdad.
The line is to terminate at Koweit.
Preferential rights are reserved for an extension from Bagdad to Mosul and
Diarbekir.
In the conversation with Dr. Zander, Director of the Anatolian Railway in
Constantinople, of which I sent a summary to your Lordship in my telegram
No. 153, Confidential, of the 30th ultimo, I inquired of that gentleman what he
thought of this scheme. He said his Company were, of course, watching it, but that
thev did not regard it as a very serious proposal, or one that was at all likely to be
carried out.
Mr. Marin itch, Acting First Dragoman, hears, however, that the Russian
proposal is backed by French capitalists; that it is favourably viewed by a number
of influential persons at the Porte ; and that the Russian Embassy will be instructed
to support it.
It is understood that Count Kapnist has waived his demand for a guarantee, and
is now ready to build the line without one.
I. shall have the honour to report further to your Lordship on the subject
of Dr. Zander's proposals by next mail.
* I have, &c.
(Signed) M. DE BUNSEN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Petition.
(Translation.)
I REQUEST that a Concession may be granted to me for the construction and
working of a line of railway from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Bassorah, with a
6 per cent, guarantee from the Imperial Government, and upon the following
conditions:—
1. The building and working of a line from Tripoli, in Syria, to Koweit, on the
Persian Gulf, the line to be built to admit of a speed of 60 kilom. per hour; the
building of a branch line starting from Hanekin, on the Persian frontier, passing
through Bagdad and Moussaib (on the Euphrates) to Nejf and Kerbela; and the
construction of ports at Tripoli, in Syria, aud Koweit.
2. The right of preference for the building and the working of the following-
lines :—
(a.) From Homs to Aleppo.
(/3.) One from Miadin, passing through Deir northwards.
(y.) One from Bagdad to Mosul and Diarbekir.
(8.) One from Koot-el-Amara, on the Tigris, as far as the Euphrates, along the
bank of the Shat-el-Hadi.
(e.) One from Alexandretta or Suedia to Aleppo and Birejik.
[1539 1]