Page 616 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
82

grain in oase another bad year might follow.
An embargo on the oxpor^of wheat to foreign countries was in foroe
throughout the year and seems likely to be continued in ep.te of our effort,
for its removal. The restriction is undoubtedly bad for trade, and, during the
year under report, was unnecessary as prices were too high to allow of any
transactions.
The prospects for 1899 are bright. The sowing season opened under
favorable conditions. The rainfall, though not plentiful, was well distributed,
and a much larger area has been brought under cultivation. If good rain
falls early in the coming year, a general revival of trade may be looked
for.
The confidence of the publio was shaken during the year by the discredi­
table state of affairs at the Bushire Customs House. Numerous thefts and
robberies culminated in the removal by night of the cargo of a lighter
bringing piece-goods from the 8. S. " Parran.” ,lt was stated that she bad
capsized during the night, and that her cargo had been washed away, but
it waB subsequently proved that the goods had really been carried off by
certain Persian merchants acting in combination with the Uamal Bashies or
Custom officials. The crime was traced home and the insured value* of the
goods was recovered from the culprits to the extent of Tomans 15,000,
equivalent to about Rs. 43,0JO, which was distributed rateably among the
owners of the goods.
There has been some difficulty during the past year over the debased state
of the currency at Bushire. There are several distinct mintings in use,
6ome of which are not so valuable as others, and this has given rise to much
confusion and some loss to merchants. The mjitter is under consideration,
and it is to be hoped that the Persian Government will shortly take steps
to call in all but the best Krans, and have them reminted. Considerable
difficulty has also arisen in consequence of the issue by a Persian syndicate
of notes generally known as “ Bijecks,” It is doubtful if the syndicate can
redeem all the paper money it has issued, and its circulation is much
objected to by European firms, who are, however, obliged to use “ Bijecks **
in the course of their business. The Imperial Bank of Persia have protested
ngainst the action of the syndicate as being a breach of the monopoly
they hold from the Persian Government.
IMPORTS.
drmt and Ammunition.—The enforcement of the prohibition against the
importation of arms and ammunition into Persia has put a stop to this trade,
and the figures shown in the tables represent the value of weapons imported
for private use uuder special licenses.
Candles.—-'The accumulation of unsold stock from the previous year and
r more extensive employment of kerosine oil, together with the poorness of
the prices realized, deterred dealers from importing to any extent.
Coffees—-The trade in this article is reported to have been unremunerafive,
the quantity imported being in excess of the demand. A small speculation
made in Java coffee to test the market for that variety is not believed to have
been attended with success.
^“During the first quarter of the year the poverty of the
A d * are principal customers, caused transactions to be limited.
moolcu tTC tr^e became brisker and large clearances of old
Ind inT * ln the k6t 1uarter a favorable rate of exchange
orders in the hands°of merchants! tbe P‘aciuS u£ numeroU*

the k*'ure °f crops for three successive rears on
weaTine Z a i’itl!l T"* f 016 ^nton to resort more lately to
tnoditid which hi A l0?^> a/feroand being thereby created for these com-