"تقرير عن إدارة المقيمية السياسية في الخليج العربي والوكالة السياسية في مسقط لسنة ١٨٧٨-١٨٧٩." [و‎‎١‎١‎٨] (١٤٦/٤٢)

^DMSS, \
RESIDENCY AND MUSKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1 878-79. 31
32. The most promising project in view to facilitating and stimu
lating the commerce of Persia to the
Opportunities for extension of ig undoubtedly that which has
British trade. ^een the subject of prolonged discussion,
the opening of the Karoom river, and of a caravan line from Shuster to
Ispahan. Whilst the immediate object which is expected to be attained
is shortening and cheapening transit communication between the sea
and Ispahan^ the central mart for north and south Persia, a second
scarcely less fruitful result would be the extensive trade which would
almost certainly be inaugurated at the same time with the richly pro
ductive districts from Disful northwards, bringing Persian Irak within
the sphere of our commerce. The difficulties experienced in obtaining
the necessary concessions for carrying out the operations so advantageous
to Persia are characteristic. The present route to Ispahan from Bushire
through Shiraz is very roundabout. A much shorter line would be
from Deelam through Behbahan, to Kumesha and Ispahan. It is
probably more the wildness of the inhabitants than the physical difficul
ties which have prevented the use of such a route.
33. It is said that a line from Ram Hormuz to Ispahan would
present few formidable physical difficulties were the time ripe for con
struction of a railroad.
(Sd.) E. C. ROSS, Lieutenant- Colonel,
Resident, Persian Gulf.
Memorandum on the Opium of Persia.
For the last two years the Persians have shown unprecedentedly great
activity in extending and improving the cultivation and growth of
opium in the country. The heavy losses which they suffered on more
than one occasion from their badly prepared and adulterated stuff,
and the tempting profits which they found were obtainable from
better produce, have apparently impelled them to the course now
taken. While a few years ago a case of Persian opium weighing 18
Tabreez mun, or 140 lbs., would not fetch in China more than 280
to 350 dollars, it has recently realized from 500 to 615 dollars.
This change cannot of course be attributed altogether to the improve
ment in the quality of the Persian drug, as prices are regulated by the
state of the Indian produce and by the demand in the China
markets. The Bengal and Malwa crops failed in the last two years
owing to drought and other circumstances, and the limited outturn,
coupled with heavy speculation, tended towards the increase of prices.
The prospect of the crops of the current year is said to be favourable, but
the trade in opium is not expected to be very remunerative.
To return to the Persian opium, from the time the attention of the
native merchants was attracted to the trade in this article, about 25 years
ago there has been, with two or three exceptions, a gradual annual increase
in the production of the drug. But this increase has never before been
eo very considerable as to become prominently noticeable.