"ملف 53/6 (D 2) شؤون الكويت ١٨٩٨-١٨٩٩" [و‎‎٢‎٧‎٣] (٥٥٤/٥٤٣)

Received with letter from Secretary, Political and Secret Department, No. 29,
dated the 30th June 1899.
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter of 20th May 1899.
ASIATIC TURKEY. [May 1.]
CONEIDENTIAL. S ection 2.
No, 1.
Sir N. 0''Conor to the Marquess of Salisbury.—{Ueoeived May 1.)
(No. 207. Confidential.)
My Lord, Constantinople, April 27, 1899.
With reference to my despatch No. 19Confidential, of the 20tli
instant, regarding the negotiations proceeding between M. Reclmitzer and the
Sublime Porte for the grant of a Concession for a railroad from the Syrian
coast to the Persian Gnlf, I learn from the Austrian Ambassador that
M. Rechnitzer, who appears to be a Concession hunter by profession, has
applied to him for official support on the strength of a recommendation from
the Austrian Eoreign Office, and that His Excellency has offered to give him
a letter to the. Porte, stating that he is recommended by his Government and
is backed by a strong financial Syndicate.
The inclosed Memorandum gives an account of an interview which Mr.
Weakley has had with M. Rechnitzer. The Memorandum contains some
interesting details of the course of the negotiations during the period when
the Concession was sought in Count Kapnist's name. That gentleman has
now informed the Porte that he has ceased to have any interest in the scheme,
and has declared M. Rechnitzer to be the real applicant for the Concession.
M. Rechnitzer's proposals have been carefully examined at the Ministry
^of Public Works, where certain modifications were agreed to, and the scheme,
as amended, is now under consideration at the Palace. It embraces the cons
truction of a line from Alexandretta to some point not yet determined on the
Persian Gulf, passing through Aleppo, Deir, Bagdad, and Basrah, and a branch
line from Bagdad to Nedjef Tesherif via Kerbela.
M. Rechnitzer is informed that the Sultan is disposed to grant the desired
Concession on condition that the scheme is made to include the construction
of a line connecting the new railway with the Anatolian system, running
from Koniah to some point between Alexandria and Aleppo, whereby through
connection would be established with Constantinople.
I have, &c.,
(Sd.) N. R. O'CONOR.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum by Mr. Weakley.
(Confidential.)
In continuation of my Memorandum of the 18th instant, I have to report
that I have seen M. Rechnitzer, from whom I have obtained the following
particulars regarding Count Kapnist's railway scheme.
1