'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎11r] (25/62)

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{iv) There will be a large passenger trade between Basra and-ports in India.
'{v) Tbe trade of tbe Port of Basra lias nothing to fear from railway competi
tion via the Baghdad Railway and a port in the Mediterranean.
(5) In forming these conclnsions, I would explain that I do not contemplate
the rapid execution of vast irrigation schemes; on the contrary I believe it will be
many years before even a comprehensive project for irrigation has been prepared
under the new conditions and circumstances.
I am also aware that the total population of Mesopotamia is only between
1 million and ij millions, or about 10 to the square mile, as compared with that of
45 to the square mile in Burma (one of the least populated provinces in India),
nearly 540 to the square mile in Bengal and 1,000 to the square mile in Egypt, and
I do not look to any very great increase in the immediate future.
In the matter of immigration, the Trade Commission points out the difficulties
of introducing Indian colonists or settlers. Unless, however, Indians are prohibited
by legislation from entering the country, I do not see how their immigration m
considerable numbers is to be stopped. They will come as shopkeepers, petty
merchants, tradesmen, and, if required, as labourers to the Arab farmer. The
province of Burma may be cited as a parallel case : the Burmans are a totally
different race from the natives of India, they have a different religion, and, like the
Arab they are disinclined to hard work and fond of luxuries. The Indian shop
keeper has spread all over the country, and some 500,000 Indians enter the country
by the Port of Rangoon, every year to reap the rice crop for the Burman proprietor,
returning to their own country at the end of the season.
(6) Whilst negativing the idea of any rapid development of the country on
a large scale, I do hold the opinion strongly that with the advent of peace and
a suitable administration there will be an impetus given to agriculture and to
agricultural machinery, and that the existing systems of irrigation will be extended
and improved. I also look to improved communications bringing a greatly
increased trade with Baghdad and Kermanshah and the province of Arabistan,
and in this I am influenced by the following statements which appear in the report
and appendices of the Mesopotamian Trade Commission
(1) " The dominant influences affecting Baghdad trade are to be found
in Basra—namely, in the ocean freights to that place, in the facilities
for, or obstructions to, the import or export of merchandize at the
port; and m the river freights obtainable from Basra to Baghdad."
(2) " Great stress should be laid upon the working connexion which already
exists between India and Mesopotamia. Bombay is felt throughout
Iraq to be the nearest importan.t centre of commerce and civilization,
and before the war the inhabitants of Basra used to regard Bombay
and Baghdad as equidistant."
(3) " The great bulk of the import trade was, before the war, transit business
with Western Persia through Baghdad—the real centre of commercial
interest. Basra was primarily the seaport of Baghdad, though its
trade in dates and grain gave it an importance of its own, and the
local market for piece goods, sugar, etc., was shewing signs of expan
sion. Persian trade through Khanikin will continue to be of great
importance in the future ; but if the agricultural regeneration of
Mesopotamia takes place on the lines anticipated, the purchasing
power of the people will be very largely increased and the demands
for imports of all kinds will expand."