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(ii) .—NAVIGABILITY.
104 Very little has been added to our information on this point since tbo
last precis (see chapter II above) was written, and with tbo exception of a
regular survey, which would be very desirable, little more is needed. We know
that the Alnvaz falls are the only obstacle to navigation bctwcon the Gulf aud
the oities of Dizful and Shuster.
Ahwaz was visited and carefully surveyed by Captain IT. Wells, R. E;, in
December 1881. Mo found that the falls could be turned by a canal 2,350 yards
long. This canal would bo cut through sandstone, which would form firm
walls, never requiring repairs. Two locks would bo required. Supposing 8
foot of water was desired, tbo total excavation would in no place be more
than 35 feet deep. The whole work would consequently be easy of execution
and far from oxpensive (vide Appendix II).
(iii) .—TRADE ROUTES.
105. At'present only two roads lead from the Persian Gulf to tbo northern
parts of the country. One is the Bushire-Shiraz road. The other is the Bagh
dad-Kermanshah road. Tbo. first presents extraordinary natural difficulties,
and it is estimated that at least £200,000 would be required to make it iuto au
easy caravan road.
106. The second road is less difficult, but besides being long it lias the
disadvantage of passing tluougk Turkish territory,, a disadvantage which is con
siderably. enhanced by the strenuous efforts made by the Turkish Government
to exaludo foreign ships from the Tigris.
107. Under these circumstances the trade routes connected with the Karun
acquire special importance, and as the country on both banks of the river,
though fertile is very sparsely populated, it may bo said that the whole com
mercial importance of the Karun depends on the roads leading to the really pro
ductive parts of Persia.
108. The principal trade centres which it is possible to reach from the
Karun are: Ispahan, Teheran, Hamadan, and Kermanshah.
100. In 1878 Mi\ Mackenzie went from Shustor to Ispahan. In 1882 Mr.
Baring of the Teheran Legation and Captain II. Wells, It. E., wont from Is
pahan, to Shuster and Dizful. They followed very nearly the same route as
Mr. Mackenzie, but they were far loss favorably impressed by the road. In
faot they both agreed that it would be out of the question to make a railway
or even a carriage road direct from Shuster to Ispahan. A fairly good caravan
road might bo made, but Captain Wells is of opinion that it would be far
easier to arrange tbo Bushire-Ispahan road, which is tbo one now ordinarily
followed, aod he points out that in winter there would be groat* difficulties
as to supplies on the Sbuster-Ispaban road, as the whole population of the
Bakhtyari moves down to the Shuster plains between Octoboraud April.
110; It would consequently appear that the Shustor-Ispahan route may bo
left out of consideration.1* A careful sur-
•Not«.—Thu doci net imply that Irpaban ihoulil , ,, .
bo left oat of consideration ns su impoituiit com* VCy Ot tJllS road Will OC fOUllU 111. L OUtical
mercial ccotro. Mr. Siring and Capu.u wdi,iimvo A December 16b2, No. 117, which should
shown that a couiimr.«tiroly easy road l6ads d-rcct . . .
from the Persian Oulf through Kehbcbnu to Is be rGild 1U CCnUeCtlOU Wltll Ml*. BaVlUg S
****••• report (Secret,. May 18S2, No. 37.9.)..
111. The next routes requiring consideration are those which lead from
Shuster and Dizful to Teheran without touching Ispahan-. Tho* road from
Shuster to Dizful does not present any difficulties, and besides the Diz river is
navigable as far as Dizful. Prom this place fivo dilTorcnt roads lead in the
direction of Teheran, but they all join at Klioramabad. Tho shortest of those
roads lead right through the mountains and are; very difficult, but there is at
least' one road, which > according .'to? Mr. Schindler a well known/and careful
explorer, is very.easy and good throughout its entire length, a faot which.is
further proved by the passage of Persian Artillery by this road between Kb o*
ramabad and Dizful. This road is 130 miles long, and a second road slightly
