Page 57 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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Memorandum by Mr; W. Birino, dated Lisbon, 20th September 1882.
Sir Henry Rawlinson, in his memorandum of 23rd June last, gives it as his opinion that
tho difliculties which beset tho opouing up of the Karun river far outweigh the advantages
to be gained. He further considers that it would bn infinitely better to urgo tho Persian
Government to construct n waggon road from Bushire to Shiraz, and so ou to Isfahan and
Tehran, than to attempt to utilize either tho llakhtyari or Luristan routes.
No ono is more thoroughly qualified than Sir Honry Rawlinson to give an opinion on
anything connoctcd with Persia, and no ono has more attentively studied the history,
goography, and resources of that couutry. It is, therefore, with much diffidence that I
venture even in a very slight degree to differ from opinions issuing from so great an
authority.
First, as regards the Karun itself, I freely admit that the difficulties offered by the
“ bund " nt Ahwaz bavo been vastly underrated. When I visited the locality 1 had read Mr.
Mackenzie's roport, and arrived there with tb« impression that tho obstruction to navigation
might be removed by a few churgcs of dynamite. Instead of slight obstructions I found
three formidable barriers of rock stretching right aoross tho stream, and which 1 describe in
my report (page 17), and a fall of about seven feet.
I quite agree with Sir Henry Rawlinson that the idea of a canal must be set aside. It
would bo a costly undertaking, for which neither the Persian Government nor a privute com­
pany would be likely to find the funds. I 6ce, however, fewer objections to a tramway Its
construction would not, I imagine, eotail great expense. Starting from a point a little below
tho lower island, it would pass to the east of the village of Ahwaz, striking the river just
above tho “ Kale " I do not think the distance would be more than 1^ miles. There are
many objections to trans-shipment; it is troublesome, risky, and expensive, but tho difficulties
attendiug it do not appear to me to be such as would wariant the entire rejection of the whole
Karun navigation scheme.
Trans-shipment would, of course, require a double set of vessels, i.e,, steamers to convey
goods to Ahwaz, and then others to continue the voyage above the “ bund.'1 It is a question,
however, whether for tho latter part of the journey tugs and lighters would not be better aud
cheaper.
I entirely agree with Sir Honry Rawlinson as to tho impracticability of the Bakhtyari
route, and J think I have said enough in my report to piove that, in my opinion, the difficul­
ties cannot be overcome. One argument in its favor was that llusrein Kuli Khan, the
Eelkhani, had established order in tho country, and would protect caravans. I hear, however,
now that ho has been put to death. Moreover, from what tho Eelkhani said to rao himself,
it was quite clear that though he would protect travellers aud caravans, ho has no wish to see
a good road made through his mountain fastnesses.
I now como to the third part of tho question, viz., the road from Dizful ,to Khoramahad,
Burujird, etc. I have never travelled over any portion of the country north of Dizful, whereas
Sir Henry Rawlinson has been to Khoramahad by two roads. Neither do I know the road
from Shiraz to Bushire, except from the accounts of the numerous travellers who pass that
way, so that I cannot draw any comparison between the two.
Tho last European who has travelled between Khoramahad and Dizful is Mr. Sohindler,
who wrote a doscriptioa of his journey in the Journal of the Berlin Geographical Society.
In April last I drew up a memorandum, condensing tho information supplied by Mr. Sohindler,
aod which was forwarded'to Earl Granville by Her Majesty’s Minister at Tehran.
Mr. Schiodler gives five routes from Khoramahad to Dizful, to which two may be at
once dismissed as impracticable.
He 6ays the longest road by Taidar is practicablo for artillery, and this information is
borne out. by what l heard at Dizful. Sir Honry Kawlinson, however, states that the road is
not less difficult than the one between Bushire and Shiraz. Mr. Schindler then describes two
other roads, one 156 miles in length through the Chirnishk Pass to Dehliz, and then by BadameTc
and Velmian; the other, 133 miles in length, the sarao as tho above as far as Dehliz, and then
by Moukhbarabad and Pirinjzar'to Rizze. The first route, though longer, appears to be rather
.the better of the two.
I have spoken with Mr. Schindler on the subjeot of communication between Dizful and
Khoramahad, and ho has assured me most positively that, without any very great expenditure,
the roads ho travelled over might be put into good order,
I quite admit tliQ objection raised with regard to tho insecurity of the country. Tho Lur
tribes are lawless to a degree, and nut in the least anxious te see their couutry openod up.
But have not other.parts of Persia been at times notorious for insecurity, and has not the
Persian Government been able to render them pretty secure ? It is uot so very long ago that
robberies were of frequent occurrence hetwron Shiraz and Bushire, and Shiraz and Isfahan;
but Forbad Mirza, when Prinoc Governor of Fare, by the exercise of unsparing severity, managed
to restoro order. Tho country between Bohbcbau aud Shiraz, inhabited by the Kohgelu and
Mamasseni tribes, wa6 at ono time bo unsafe that travelling was well nigh impossible. ”When
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