File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎291v] (214/280)

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Memorandum.
Enclosure No. 2.
His Majesty’s Minister at Tehran in a recent telegram gave
prominence to the increase of Russian influence in the Isfahan
province resulting from the increase of Russian trade by reason
of the deplorable condition of the Southern Trade Routes,
and added that in proportion as Russian influence is giv^
time to extend southwards, so will the justifiable pretensions
of Russia to a larger share of the neutral zone become greater.
Starting therefore with this axiom, we are confronted
with the proposition how to prevent a further increase of Russian
Trade in the Isfahan province and southwards, and how to
win back, if possible, what Russian Trade has recently cap
tured in that province.
For some months past conditions on the Bushire—Shiraz—
Isfahan road have shown great improvement. The Bushire —
Shiraz section has been practically free from robberies since
the beginning of 1913 and illegal exactions from muleteers,
“Rahdari”, "Tufangchigeri”, &c. have been confined to the
Kumarij —Bushire section and to very reduced figures since
March. As to the Shiraz—Isfahan section, we are informed
that it has been quite safe since May 1913.
Caravans have circulated continuously on the Bushire —
Shiraz road and between Shiraz and Isfahan since the begin
ning of June 1913.
On the Ahwaz—Isfahan road there have been no Kuhgilu
raids during 1913, and since the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Jang has decided
to continue in the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. -ship, the amount of traffic has been
very fair, considering the insufficiency of transport animals.
In the latter half of 1912, the exorbitant rates of transport
hire were killing trade from the Gulf to Central Persia as much
as, and perhaps more than, insecurity and oppression on the
road. Rates of hire then averaged about 450 Krans per 100 Bu
shire mans from Bushire to Shiraz, and 350 up to 450 Krans
per 100 Shiraz mans from Shiraz to Isfahan.
The Mule Hire Agreement, to which all merchants in Bushire
were got to adhere last November, and the formation of a For
warding Department by the local Government for distributing
mules and donkeys proportionately between merchants (by
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