ملف رقم ٤٣٤٥ لسنة ١٩١٢ "السكة الحديدية العابرة لبلاد فارس" [و‎‎٧‎٦] (٣٣٠/١٥٦)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
PERSIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
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i 1 r
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[December 9.
Section 6.
[52509] No. 1 .
Viscount Errinqton to Sir A. Nicolson.—(Received December 9.)
My dear Sir Arthur, 8 , Bishopsgate, Loyidon, December 7, 1912.
AS agreed yesterday, I am sending you a letter which I think makes things clear,
and which I fancy covers all the points to which importance is attached.
Yours very sincerely,
ERRINGTON.
Enclosure in Xo. 1.
Viscount Errington to Sir Arthur Nicolson.
Dear Sir Arthur, 8 , Bishopsgate, London, December 7, 1912.
I YESTERDAY had the opportunity of explaining in further detail certain points
alluded to in conversation with you on the 4th December about Persian affairs.
As it may be convenient for purposes of record that I should embody in a letter
the observations that you have been good enough to invite on your minute of the
4th December, I now write to say that as to points—
1. Advance. —I have nothing to add.
2. Loan. —I should prefer to amplify by saying that I confirmed your recollection
that the Foreign Office had agreed to this business being placed in the hands of
Messrs. Baring, who were willing to take charge of the British portion of this operation,
subject, of course, to their being satisfied as ta security and conditions. On saying
that you hoped Messrs. Baring would consider the Imperial Bank of Persia and Messrs.
Seligmans being admitted to participation, I agreed to consideration being given to
this point.
3. Trans-Persian Railway.- -You informed me that the Foreign Office considered
the Trans-Persian Railway question as quite distinct from the questions of advances
and loans. I agreed this was the case.
Up to this point you will see that there is no material divergence in views between
your minute and those I have here expressed, as I have merely amplified my own
language for the sake of clearness.
4. British Delegate of the Societe d’Etudes.- —This is the point which I am afraid
I must have failed to make clear on the 4th December. If Mr. Harrison proceeds to
Tehran his negotiations with the Persian Government will be confined to the business
of the Trans-Persian Railway. But I would now add that, as His Majesty’s Government
are aware, the delegates have been selected with a view to their making enquiry into
the financial situation and economic questions relating to Persia.
It cannot therefore be said that they are going out to Teheran “ solely for railway
purposes,” and I regret any misapprehension which may have been caused by my not
explaining this point more clearly at the time.
I need hardly add that no loan would be feasible until after the financial
capabilities of Persia have been examined, and suggestions have been made for some
machinery by which an effective collection and control of revenues is assured.
Believe me, &c.
ERRINGTON.
[2729 i- 6 ]
COPY - ° dA
10 JAN 1S13
IS