"الملف 73/7 II (D 22) وضع الكويت - سكة حديد بغداد، والمفاوضات الأنجلو تركية" [و‎‎١‎١‎٠] (٥٤٠/٢٢٥)

46
replied in the negative to my enquiry whether he had seen a telegram from
Constantinople that had been published in the papers stating that proposals
were being put forward by the Sublime Porte to give England, Prance, Germany
and Turkey 25 % each in the Gulf section, and to eliminate Russia. He also
asked whether I had any official confirmation of the matter.
In reply I said that I was only curious to know His Excellency's opinion
of the idea mentioned, and that I had no knowledge in regard to the Turkish
counter-proposals.
M. Sazonof was inclined to think that the acceptance of such a proposal
would be a mistake, as the Triple Entente would be deprived of the
predominant control of the Gulf section. The matter would, he said, require
very careful consideration. In his opinion, therefore, the participation of
Russia would be preferable. The only argument in favour of the Turkish
idea was that Germany might be excluded from the Trans-Persian Railway
if Russia were excluded from the Gulf section.
Unless I question M. Sazonof officially I fear that I cannot extract a
clearer exposition of his views. Please refer to my despatch No. 110. It will
not be forgotten that in April 1911 this Government strongly advocated their
participating in the Gulf section of the railway.
(Received on the 27tli May 1912 with Political Secretary's letter No. 19, dated the 10th May
1912.)
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA. [IBth April.]
CONFIDENTIAL. S ection 2.
[15552] No. 1.
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey—(Received 13th April).
No. 144. St. Petersburgh,
(Telegraphic.) 13th April 1912.
Your despatch No. 107 of 4th April: Baghdad Railway.
In the conversation reported in my telegram No. 121 of 27th March, I
gave Russian Minister for Poreign Affairs to understand that I was speaking
entirely on my own account and not under instructions.
I would prefer, therefore, not to revert to it, and to postpone replying to
his argument till I am instructed to make an official communication to him on
the subject of our negotiations with Turkey. My doing so at present would not,
I think, serve any useful purpose, and I should be somewhat embarrassed were
he to put questions to me as to the admission or non-admission of Russia to a
share in the Gulf section.
(Copy sent informally to the Army Department for transmission to the
Division of the Chief of the Staff.)
(Received on the 27th May 1912 with Political Secretary's letter No. 19, dated the 10th May
1912.)
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA. [22nd April.]
CONFIDENTIAL. S ection 3.
[16796]
No. 1.
Sir G. Lowther to Sir Edward Grey—(Received 22nd April).
]Jo. 309. Constantinople,
14th April 1912.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that I received recently from His Majesty's
Consul-General at Baghdad a telegram stating that he had received private