867.77/317: Telegram
The Commissioner at Berlin (Dresel) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 6—8:09 p.m.]
562. From Coffin:10
“Von Gwinner of Deutsche Bank stated today that he can obtain control of Anatolian Railway for American interests for $6,000,000. The control would carry with it control of the Bagdad railway, Mersina-Adana line, port concessions at Haidar Pasha and Alexan-dretta and petroleum rights owned by Anatolia and Bagdad Railways. Anatolia Railway is now controlled by Bank für Orientalische [Eisen]bahnen, a Swiss corporation. The project is very drawn [sic] owing to the obvious political complications but it might develop very interesting features if the Turkish peace treaty protects neutral interests. Can you ascertain and cable me whether any American group would be sufficiently interested to investigate proposal fully in which case I will hasten forwarding of full details.”
- William Coffin, U.S. consul general at Berlin.↩