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its presont low ebb J well mnnaged, it might become what it Gneo was, ono of the granaries
of the world. Tho practicability of this route from Shuster to Ispahan has been condemned
by 6omo, who maintain that tho Bosh tain range of mountains is impassable for a railway. The
physical <1 ifli^ultics nro doubtless formidable. Persians, however, state they are greatly over­
rated, and that the hitherto unsafe stato of the country, and not its natural difficulties, is the
reason for its not being traversed.”
Mr. Dawes considered beat route to be that from Mohammerah via Shuster
to Ispahan, or from Shuster via Dizful and Burudjird to Kum and Teheran.
In tho event of these two routes proving impracticable, ho said there was still
the alternative of carrying a line from Bunder Abbas by Lar to tho valley of
Bandamir, and thence to Ispahan; this however, is 400 miles longer than the
Shuster route, and traverses a country where the scaroity of water renders any
great development of agriculture impossible. Mr. Dawes wa9 thanked for his
suggestions, and told that the subject was
Eccrot, December 1873, No. 30.
uuder consideration.
65. In Captain Napier’s diary for February 1875 it was said that Sheikh
Jabir of Mohammerah, the Chief of the
Secret, June 1876, Noo. 145*147.
Kaab Arabs, had for some time given
offence to the Persians by acts indicating an assumption of independent
authority; that n force of 1,600 men sent by tho Governor of Shuster to enforce
payment of arrears of revenue was driven back from Mohammerah by the
Sheikh’s troops; and that it was reported that the Shah had ordered a force to
be collected to march to the south under his own command. Simultaneously
with this appeared a letter in the Neue Freie Press, a Vienna paper, written by
Dr. Poliak, formerly Physician to the Shah. He said that, with the aid of the
English, Sheikh Jabir had occupied Mohammerah, and was prepared to declare
himself independent; that the Sheikh would probably, in return for a good
pension, cede his position to the English; and that the English would then, from
the important situation of Mohammerah, command Arabia, Persia, and Turkey.
Ho went on to say that the steps taken were in consequence of the advances
made by Russia in Central Asia, and that the English were compelled to take
up a firm position which would enable theta readily to despatch their troops
into tho heart of the country at Shuster, from which there are roads and ' lines
to Kermnnshah, Hamadan, Teheran,’ and Ispahan. He thought that the effeot
would simply be to counterbalance Russian intlunce in Persia. This article,
which was duly translated to the Shah, “ aroused his anger and suspicions.’*
Mr. Taylour Thomson remarked that, though the alleged political intrigue of
England, and of the report of her troops being in possession of the island, were
probably not believed by the Persian Government, yet the value of tho position
was so evident that it was not Burprising the perusal of the article should have
produced on the Shah’s mind the strong impression it was said to have done*
The following remarks were made by Mr. Aitchison on the case :—
uThe advantages of the Knnm as a route for trade are well known, and three years ago
we drew the lato Mr. Alison’s attenion to it. The transition from a trade to a military route
is very easy, and it is probably the inteicsfc we have manifested in the route, combined with
the rebellious proceedings of Sheikh Jabbar, that has given rise to the mischievous articlo
referred to.”
66. In May 1876, Mr. Mackenzie, of the firm of Gray, Paul & Co.,
forwarded to the Political Resident in the
General, A, September 1876, Noa. 1-5.
Persian Gulf a report of a ride lie had just
then mado from Ispahan to Shuster. Gray, Paul & Co. had established on
agency at Ispahan, and Mr. Mackenzie said they were prepared to push trade
in that direction, via Shuster, and endeavour to open up the route, which the
navigation of tho Karun alone could do. He said that it would, however, in
the first instance, to ensure success, require to be a line subsidized by Govern­
ment, and so receive their countenance and support. Mr. Mackenzie gave a
very favorable account of the people and the country betwoen Shuster and
Ispahan. Were the Karun opened to Shuster, his firm, he felt sure, could
deliver goods at Ispahan at 35 krans por load of 350 lbs., as against 60 krans
per load sent from Bushiro to Ispahan via Shiraz; and he estimated that,
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