"الملف 73/7 III (D 24) وضع الكويت، والمفاوضات الأنجلو-التركية" [ظ‎‎١‎٥‎٢] (٧٠٩/٣١٦)

64
Government not concerning themselves with the source from which the
Turkish capital might be obtained. It was held by the Board of Trade that
50 per cent, participation in the raliway would suffice to prevent measures
hostile to our interests, and the same would presumably apply to the river also.
If this is impracticable, the only alternative form of amalgamation is one
in which hona fide British interests would be in a minority—since Lord Crewe
could not regard the National Bank (whose participation has been suggested) as
a British concern for the present purpose. But, as it has already been agreed
that the maintenance of effective river competition is essential, it is difficult to
see how His Majesty's Government could acquiesce in such an amalgamation,
and the only means they apparently possess of preventing it is their hold
over Messrs. Lynch. As regards this. His Lordship is of opinion that
it would be too strong a measure, after all that has taken place, for them
to assert their rights as the original concessionaire to prevent Messrs. Lynch
from entering the combine. On the other hand, it appears to him that
a one-fourth participation could be of so little value to Messrs. Lynch
that they could only contemplate entering on those terms with the inten
tion of being ultimately bought -out, and this, in his opinion, His Majesty's
Government would be fully entitled to prohibit. If this view is correct, the
knowledge that it would be prohibited would probably suffice to prevent
Messrs. Lynch from entering, or would at all events induce them to disclose
their real position. I am accordingly to suggest that if, after consideration
of my letter of 7th instant. Sir E. Grey is satisfied that His Majesty's Govern
ment are on firm ground, Messrs. Lynch should be at once informed of the
view which they take of the concession, and told that in no circumstances
will the transfer of British interests be permitted.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
T. W. H olderness.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office.
(Received on the 4th May 1913 with Political Secretary's letter No. 16, dated the 18th April
1913.) ^
IMMEDIATE. India Office, Whitehall,
P. 1443. London, S. W.;
17th April 1913.
Sir,
In reply to your letter No. 16335 of the 12th instant, I am directed by
the Secretary of State for India to say that the draft agreement respecting
railways in Asiatic Turkey proposed by the Sublime Porte appears to him to be
merely an elaboration of Article 4 of the British draft, and to leave the rest
and most important part, of the ground uncovered. Moreover, so far as it is
an elaboration, it seems to be to the detriment of British interests, since it
postulates an identity of conditions which could hardly be attained, and
certainly not proved, in practice.
He cannot, therefore, recommend that it be accepted as a whole. But he
observes that the British draft contains no provision to protect goods imported
or exported partly by rail and partly by river; and, as a cover for introduc
ing such a provision, he would suggest that paragraph 2 of the Turkish draft
might be accepted with the addition of words to the eifect that import and
export rates should be applicable to goods imported or exported partly
by river and partly by rail,
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
T. W. H olderness.
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office.