'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. I. 1918' [‎255] (264/568)

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
255
direction of Samsat), and to Kiakhta (in the direction of Gerger),
there are more or less difficult tracks for pack-animals.
From Kharput to Gerger and Samsat along the Euphrates there is
only a difficult mountain-track.
The Euphrates is not ordinarily used as a waterway from Armenia
to Mesopotamia, since, though downstream navigation by is
possible from Erzingan on the Prat Su, and from a point 3 or 4 hours
above Palu on the Murad Su, there are difficult and dangerous rapids
in the stretch where the river breaks through the Taurus, between
Kumur Khan and Chunkush ferry.]
II. Routes crossing the Taurus betwee Lake
In the Taurus ranges between the Euphrates and Lake Van there
are two principal gates giving access to Mesopotamia from the north,
the Arghana Pass north-west of Diarbekr and the Bitlis Pass north
east of Diarbekr. Besides these there are a number of other ways
across the mountains, of which the most important appear to be
Mush—Hazro or Zokh via the Kulp valley and the Chabakchur
plain—Lijjeh via Pechar.
Of the main routes which enter our area in this region all but one
meet at Diarbekr. The exception is the route from Bitlis to Mosul
via Sairt and Jezlret-ibn-'Omar.
The distances to Baghdad given below under routes (a)-(e) are
calculated by Diarbekr, Mardln, Nisibin, and the trace of the Baghdad
Railway. Compare B II (&) ii and ii-iv.
(a) Sivas—Diarbekr via Malatia, Kharput, and the Arghana Pass
(290 miles). Chaussee.
[Sivas—Baghdad, about 760 miles.
Samsun—Sivas—Baghdad, about 980 miles.
Angora—Sivas—Baghdad, by Angora—Sivas chaussee, about
1,040 miles; by a more direct route between Angora and Vozgad,
on which a narrow-gauge railway has been begun, about 1,010 miles.]
(h) Kaisarieh—Diarbekr via Albistan, Malatia, Kharput, and the
Arghana Pass (about 340 miles). Road, passable for wheels except
between Albistan and Malatia.
[Kaisarieh—Baghdad, about 810 miles.]
(c) Erzerum—Diarbekr via Mush, Bitlis, Ziyaret Wa'iz el-Qur'ani,
Zokh, the Batman Bridge, and FarqTn (about 300 miles). From Mush
to Bitlis passable for wheels ; from Bitlis to Ziyaret Wa iz el Qur'ani