Page 178 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

20 ADMINISTRATION REronT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

the Bushirc harbour, and to bo negotiating with the object of forming a com-
pany with local capital to work out tbe scheme.
Seizure of Arms.—M. Simais has been very energetic in the matter of
enforcing the orders of Persian Government with regard to the illicit traffic in
arms, and undoubtedly the establishment of tho new Customs Administration
in the Gulf has rendered this traffic exceedingly risky. At tho beginning of
November last a quantity'of arms and ammunition, valued at 21,513 francs,
were seized by the Director Goneral of Customs on board a British ship in tho
Bushire harbour. These arms and ammunition were shipped at Djibouti by
an Arab passenger as his personal luggage, and wore probably intcuded partly
for Koweit, to which place tho passenger belonged, and to Persian ports noar
tbe entrance to the Shatt-cl-Arab. The passenger was arrested and imprisoned
in Bushiro and released after a time. The arms and ammunition seized were
confiscated. Other seizures of arms in Busbire itself have boeu made by tbe
Director-General of Customs, whose activity in the matter, as well as that of
the officers serving under bis orders, lias made tho traffic at tbe larger ports of
the Gulf almost impossible. Smuggling in native craft into the smaller ports
still goes on, but the probability is that as the new administration extends its
influence, this too will becomo more difficult.
Administration of Justice.—Now that tho Customs Administration has
been organized on a proper basis, and there is every hope that tlie neoded
improvements will be introduced and trade thereby facilitated, the Persian
Government would be well advised if it went a step further and established
a regular court for tbe administration of justice. The absence of such a court
is keenly felt by British mercantile community when they have any claims to
recover from Persian subjects. If prompt justice could be obtained, one of tbo
difficulties which British merchants encounter in their dealings with Persians
would be overcome, and the relief thus afforded would no doubt strengthen tho
position of the British merchant and stimulate bis energy to widen tbe scope of
his oporalions. At present claims of British subjects against Persians are rarely
settled locally owing to the obstructive tactics of the local authorities, and tho
conscqucnccis that as a rule cases of any iinjjortance have to be referred to Tehran,
which involves endless delays before a settlement is effected.
Imports. Arms and Ammunition.—Tho 21 guns shewn in the table for Lingah and
imported from Maskat were seized on landing by the Customs authorities.
Twelve cases of arms and fourteen cases of ammunition were imported into
Bushire for private individuals under permit from the Persian Government, and
have not therefore been shewn in the return.
Can 'let.—Fairly good business was done in this article owing to tho price
of kerosine oil having gone up at one time of tbe year. Caudles are fiuding
favour among tbe rich class of people*, and are beiug also used for religious
gatherings and festivities. Large quautities are also seut to tbo iuterior where
kerosine oil is not so extensively used.
Coffee.—Speculation in this.item lias proved a failure owing to a very limited
demand for it. Consignments sent to the interior were returned and sold at
a loss in Bahrein and on the Arab Coast.
Cotton piece-goods.—The imports improved by Bs. 20,lG,9d5 over the
previous year, and though the importers did not realize profits to'any appre­
ciable extent, they succeeded in disposing of the accumulated stocks of the
previous years. The high prices ruling in Manchester for a portion of tbe year
gave a welcome relief to tbe merchants in Bushire. who on the whole are said
to have realized invoice prices. Brisk business was done at paying rates in
Turkey red twills and black twills which for some time past were neglected.
Grey Mexicans, too, were in much demand, and handsome profits were netted,
specially by such merchants as had contracted for them in advance at compara­
tively lower rates.
Yarn and Ttoist.—The imports under this head shew fair increase owing
to the demand created in the markets of tbe interior, this article being largely
used in tbe manufacture of ebuddexv, etc.
Drugs and Medicines.—Though tho figures shew an increase of Bs. 28,700,
they do not actuully represent imports properly called, as about Rs. 25,000 are.