‘Report on the British Indian Commercial Mission to South-Eastern Persia during 1904-1905. By A H Gleadowe-Newcomen, F.R.G.S., F.S.A., President, representing the Upper India Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Tea Cess Committee.’ [‎54r] (112/178)

MISSION TO SOUTH EASTERN PERSIA FOR
1904-1905.
95
RESUMi:.
It is evident from a study of trade movements in Persia that the commerce
of the British Empire with that country is not in as healthy a condition as
could be desired. It lias expanded but little during the last fifteen years ; it
has been practically stagnant during the last five years, and the latest available
statistics show a slight actual decrease. This slight decrease becomes a very
great relative set-back when it is compared with the enormous advance made
by Russian trade with Persia of late years, and especially daring the years
1900 to 1904. The Russo-1 apanese War cheeked trade between Russia and
Persia very greatly in 1904-1905, but Russia is not relaxing the efforts that
have won her her commercial position in Persia, and with the cessation of the
war trade will recover. Unless, too, special efforts are made, the trade of the
British Empire with Persia, in which India has so large an interest, will con
tinue to make no progress.
According to the statistics issued by the Belgian Administration of
Persian Customs, for the year March 21st, 1903, to March 20th, 1904, the
value of the entire foreign trade of Persia was in that year (60 hrans being
taken to the £ sterling) £10,661,695 made up by imports £6,415,609, and
exports £4,246,086.
.Of this the lion’s share is Russian, amounting to a total value of £5,668,340
of which £3,077,636 represent imports, and £2,590,704 represent exports.
The British Empire’s share is £2,490,009, of which £2,138,112 represent
imports, and £351,897 exports.
As Russia exports nearly as much as she imports, and as with increasing
trade in exports the trade in imports’ tends to increase, these figures, which
show that the British Empire takes little from Persia in comparison to the
amount of merchandize she sends into that country, show also how necessary it
is for England and India to try and increase the trade in Persian produce.
In the statistics published by the Customs Administration the trade with
India and that with the United Kingdom are not entered separately, all trade
between Persia and the British Empire being collected under one head.
The greater part of British, as well as of Indian, trade with Persia is done
by way of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Ports, and of the trade with the Ports of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , nearly 70 per cent, on an average, represents trade with the
British Empire. The movement of trade in the Gulf therefore offers a very
reliable rough index Of the movement of British trade with Persia.
Statistics compiled at the British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , Bushire, for the Ports of
Bushire, Bahrein, Lingah, Bander Abbas, and the Arab Coast, but excluding
Mohammerah, with which port there is a heavy trade, show the value of trade
to have been in the years :—
Imports. Exports.
£ £
1902 3,574,381 2,643,681
1903 ....... 3,415,177 2,738,930
1904 2,787,970 2,116,276
The Indian share of the imports amounted in 1904 £1,294,813, and of the
exports £1,259,555.
iV.B.—(It must be borne in mind when reading Consular and Customs House Statistics, that the
Consular authorities have always shown a tendency to exaggerate values somewhat, whilst the Customs House
authorities have, on the other hand, a tendency to minimise values. Fluctuations in exchange are also
responsible for differences in the comparison of values.)
Although the trade of the British Empire with Persia has, relatively to
Russian trade, retrograded, and although Russia undoubtedly threatens to
gain in the future victories in the trade of Persia as great as those which she
has gained in the past, the position of the trade of the British Empire is not
bo bad as it seems to be at first sight.