Page 558 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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German Interests.—Steamers of tho Hansa Line liavo again increased the
total tonnage carried by them. A very small docrcaso in imports, 15,108
tons as against 15,255 tons in 1927, is offset by a considerable increase* in
exports, 5,095 tons as against 3,094. Imports consisted of motor cars, almost
entirely American, iron and ironware, glasswaro, loaf sugar, and machinery.
Exports consisted of cotton, gum Arabic, liquorico, dried fruits of all kinds
goat-hair and other third class category goods. Towards tho end of 1938
tho Hamburg American Lino made a survey of tho Gulf to see if it would'be
worthwhile restarting their prewar sorvico. Rumour has it, however, that the
survey was unprofitable.
Japanese Interests.—In 1937 there wore four scrvicos running regularly
to tho Gulf. Now there are only two, i.e., tho Mitsui and Yamashita Lines.
During tho year 21 of their steamers called at Bushiro and landed 1,141 tons
of cargo, mostly tea, glasswaro and pieccgoods. They took away, however,
only 196 tons of opium.
R'ussian Interests.—Tho only U. S. S. R. business through Busliire in
1938 consisted of the import of sugar for the Government Monopoly. It
came in one Norwegian and two Greek steamers bringing a total of 5,421 tons.
Other Interests.—Tho Amorican Silver Line and other American Lines
have ceased to call at Bushire and cargo for Bushire is being landed at Basrah
for transhipment by B. I. steamers. One American and one Dutch steamer
however, called during the year.
4. Opium.—The following are the details of opium shipped from Bushire
during 1938 : —
January 300 cases for Batavia.
February 50 „ „ Macao.
March 078 „ ,, Taku ?
March . 150 „ „ Yolcohnina ?
April 300 „ „ Marseilles.
April 100 „ „ Saigon.
May 300 „ „ Saigon.
May 300 „ „ Macuo.
May 35 „ „ Hamburg. I
June 200 „ „ Singapore.
June 10 „ „ London.
July 300 „ „ Singapore.
AugUBt . 300 „ „ Singapore.
September 200 „ „ Singapore.
October .
Novembor 200 „ „ Singapore.
December 072 „ ,, Macao ?
Total 4,755 cases.

Of the above, only 345 cases were shipped to Western markets, the
balance going to the Far East. The majority of these shipments were made
openly. But two of them, i.e., the 1,128 cases in March and the 972 cases
in December wore shipped very secretly for the Far East on two Japanese
steamers. The port markets and destination were kept secret by the
shippers. The Opium Monopoly Department has greatly increased its
export of opium during the year, and Japanese trade agents in Tehran have
been making every effort to get more exported to be paid for by the import
of Japanese goods.
5. Communication.—Sea.—The B. I. Slow mails both up and down still
call weekly at Bushire. The Fast Mail service also still calls in alternate
weeks. Strick continue their monthly service and Ellerman and Bucknall
call occasionally. Ships of the Hansa Line both from Germany and direct
from New York call fairly regularly. The only other foreign steamers making
regular calls are those of the Yamashita and Nippon Yusson Kaisha Lines
(Japanese).
Air.—Air France still maintains its weekly service to and from Europe
and India. In November and December the aerodrome became water-Jogged
and on several occasions planes were unable to land. Tlioy did, however,

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