'ROUTES IN PERSIA. SECTION II.' [‎54] (79/122)

54
R oute N o. 33—
No.
of
stage.
" ■:
Names of stageii-
D istance in
miles.
R emaeks.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
13
V AN
12|
2011
sonle undnktioiis and descend into the plain of
Van. Good road across the plain to
Van.
This is ^ route throughout practicable fof guns,
although crossing the Mermid Su might necessi.
tate a detour. The greater part of the distance
from Agantz td Van there is a well-made road.
The direct route from Merek to Van saves 8
miles, but is difficult for wheels. Supplies are
plentiful at Agantz and fairly so at Kara Khan,
also plentiful in the Mermid Su plain. This re
port is taken from reconnaissances by Captain
Clayton, R.A., 1881, and Colonel M. Bell, U.E.,
in 1885. From Agantz this route is the post
route from Erzerum. In winter the route
usually followed is that by Ertev, north of Mejid-
lu» An alternative route from Erzerum would
be over the Delibaba pass to Zeidikan, and thence
to Agantz by Tutakh.
Notk .—(Erzerum Aerantz).—This ig an important route, and is the post route from Erzerum to Vafi. From
Agantz to Van by the shortest route is 60 miles, the total distance is thus 191 miles. The joute is throughout
practicable foi* arahas arid is frequented by caravans.
Supplies should be plentiful in the Upper Khinis Valley, but not generally elsewhere. Fuel scarce but plenty
of water. This route, is mxinly taken from a report by Mr. Devey, 18S9. TIip route coinciding with that taken
by Captain Clayton from Melassrird to A^antz for a short distance beyond Kara Kaza. By following this line
from Marmuz to Haspinek instead of turning up to Fatnotz, the distance from Melasgird to Agantz would be
decreased to about 38 miles. In winter tae route followed from Erzerum to Daghveran is generally by Hassan
Kale and Kiilli.
Route No. 34.
F rom E uzerum to V an.
B y E rtep, K ullt , K araghil, P irun - , and the south coast of L ake V an.
AulhoHty and ^<2^—M ajor F. M illingen, 1869.
No.
of
stage.
Names of stages.
D istance in
miles.
r emabes.
Inter-
nediate.
Total.
1
Deveh-boyun...
• • •
Passing through arid country, we soon reached
the top of the ridge, from which the plain of
Passin was visible from one extremity to the
other. This ridge is called Deveh-boyun, or " The
Camel's Neck." Strategically it is a very im
portant point, because, if the Turkish forces
were to lose ground at Kars, this is the only place
Where they could effectually make a stand.