"الملف 73/7 II (D 22) وضع الكويت - سكة حديد بغداد، والمفاوضات الأنجلو تركية" [ظ‎‎٢‎٢‎٧] (٥٤٠/٤٦٢)

68
municated by the Imperial Ottoman Government on the 15th April last., relating
to questions connected with the Baghdad Eailway and the Persian Gulf.
In communicating this document to your Highness, I desire to call your atten
tion to two additional points which are not dealt with in the memorandum or i s
annexes.
In the first place His Majesty's Government consider it highly desirable
in order to secure the smooth working of the arrangements proposed m regard
to the Baghdad Eailway, that at least one British director, approved by His Majes
ty's Government, should be admitted to the board of the Baghdad Railway
Company. Such an arrangement would of course require the consent of the
German Government.
Secondly, as the Turkish Government are aware, certain rights are secured
to Persia under the Treaty of Erzeroum (1847), and the geographical position of
Mohammerah is such that the Shaikh cannot fail to be brought into contact with
the Riverain Commission ; and, unless provision is made for these facts there is
a risk of the friction arising which it is the object of the two Governments to avoid.
There would have been much to be said for an International Riveram Commission
on which Persia, equally with Great Britain and Turkey should be represented.
But as His Majesty's Government, appreciating the objections entertained by the
Porte, have not pressed for this, it is necessary to provide m some other way for
the representation of Persia in such matters as may touch her rights, whether
under the Treaty of Erzeroum or under this new agreement. His Majesty s
Government therefore propose that the commissioner, who is a British subject,
should be charged with the duty of making to the commission such representations
as may at any time be necessary upon any question affecting those nghts, and they
will be willing to use their good offices with the Persian Government and the bhaikh
of Mohammerah to induce them to agree to this arrangement.
These two points come, perhaps, outside the scope of the matters dealt with
in the memorandum, which are confined to subjects of negotiation beween Great
Britain and Turkey alone, but His Majesty's Government attach great importance
to them and trust that they will receive the favourable consideration of the Imperial
Ottoman Government.
I have, etc.,
E. GREY.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum communicated to Turkish Ambassador.
1. His Majesty's Government have not failed to examine with much care
and attention the important proposals which are emboided in the memorandum
communicated by the Imperial Ottoman Government on the 15th April last.
2. Throughout their deliberations, His Majesty's Government have been
animated by the conviction that a complete agreement on outstanding questions
is eminently to be desired in the larger interests of both countries. They are
persuaded that such an agreement, to be justly appreciated, should be viewed not
only in the measure of sacrifice or advantage which each individual clause may
imply, but also in its cumulative and future effects upon Anglo-Turkish relations
in general. His Majesty's Government therefore desire to lay before the Ottoman
Government the following proposals and considerations.
3. For convenience of reference the several proposals under consideration may
be dealt with under three distinct headings
(i) The Baghdad Railway question.
(ii) ( The respective interests of Great Britain and Turkey in the region of
the Persian Gulf.
(m) An increase in the Turkish customs duties.