Page 46 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

80
tho Bushire road available for a large traffic, but ho thinks that thoy might
be induood to construct tho less expensive road from 8huster. 3
128. Summing up the different opinions expressed on tho subjoot of the
Karun navigation, it will bo scon that Sir H. Bawlinson alone does not believe
in tho importance of tho river as a means of developing British trade in Persia.
All other authorities agreo that it is tho only possiblo way of competing with
Russia, and that the only real difficulty consists in inducing tho Persian Gov­
ernment to givo tho necessary permission.
129. Tho following table will show the length of tho different roads which
connect Teheran with tho Persian Gulf :—
Miles.
Tehernn-Ispalmn.Bushire . 760
Toheron-Ispahan-Ahwas . 600
Teheran-Ispaban-S huster . 600
Tehcran-lBpahan-Dillora . 600
Teheran-Kermanshah«13agdad . 500
Teberan-Burujird-Dizful . 400
130. Considering that the last of these roads is 360 miles shorter than the
only now available road, and that it even in its present state is practicable for
artillery, while the BiUiire road is exceedingly difficult even for mules, the ad­
vantages of the Shuster road are evident.
131. The Persian view of the Karun question will he found in a not unin­
teresting report furnished in July 1882 to the Zil-us-Sultan by one of his officers
who had been specially deputed to examine the river and the surrounding
country.
132. This report deprecates the admission of foreign ships on the river, as
they might use it for military purposes. But the writer is of opinion that the
Persian Government should have steamers on the Karun. He thinks that a
dam constructed at the Aliwuz falls would
• Secret, Febrniry 1883, No*. 210.
render an enormous tract of land cultiv­
able, while it would prevent foreign ships from getting'beyond the dam.*
10.8-83. (Sd.) F. deL.