"ملف 53/6 (D 2) شؤون الكويت ١٨٩٨-١٨٩٩" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣‎٢] (٥٥٤/٤٦٣)

2
In the interest of furthering the negotiations with the Turkish authorities, it has
been deemed advisable to induce Count Kapnist to give up his interest in the proiect,
and this he has consented to do, in return for a substantial consideration. ~ Count
Jlapmst has, consequently, drawn up a declaration, in which he states that he has
hitherto been acting on behalf of an English Syndicate, and that having ceased to
nave any further interest in the Concession applied for, he resigns'all his rights in
lavour of M. Eechnitzer, the representative of the Syndicate, who in future is to be
consmered the real concessionnaire. This declaration will be presented to the Ministry
o ublic W orks as soon as the terms upon which Count Kapnist gives up his interest
have been agreed to. a o i
rvffi M ; ®', echuit,zer llas obtained a letter of introduction from the Austrian Foreign
Uthce to the Austnan Ambassador in Constantinople, but I understand M. Eecbnitzer
has not yet presented it. Mr. Block iuforms me that letters have also been received
iiom Messrs. Rothschild by the Sublime Porte, recommending M. Hechnitzer.
, The diaJt Convention for the proposed railway tas been drawn up by Mr. Alex
ander Henderson, M.P., and has been submitted to the Ministry of Public Works "
where it is now being examined and discussed in detail.
The demand for a kilometric guarantee has not been accepted by the Turkish
authorities, but that a proposal for guaranteeing the line, out of the increase of the
entertXed 116 ^ dlStriCts throu ^ h wllicl1 tlle ra ilway will pass, has been favourably
^ 7 , . 7 , 0 no (Signed) EENEST WEAKLEY.
Constantinople, April 18, 1899.
r
.