File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎111r] (217/270)

The development of the Arab will depend largely on the nature of the Paragraph 46.
education provided in the Government schools, of which several have been
instituted with the valuable assistance of the American Mission. In the High
School, courses of vocational instruction are provided and in regard to this
it is recommended that special efforts should be made to develope the commer
cial and agricultural classes.
95. The disadvantages under which trade laboured before the war in the Paragraps 47-so.
matter of communications are well-known. It is recommended that a tten- Commuaicatlons ‘
tion be concentrated, in the first place, on the institution of a regular and
frequent steamer service between Basrah and Baghdad affording reasonable
freights and entirely in British hands. In order to guard against the dangers
inherent in a monopoly, it would seem desirable that Government should either
be represented on the Board of the Company, or by some other means should
exercise control over the maximum freights and passenger rates to be charged
by the Company. Secondly, in view of the paramount importance of the
Baghdad-Kermanshah trade, a railway should be constructed between Baghdad
and Khaniqin at the earliest possible moment. Such railway construction as
has taken place in the occupied territories has been governed purely by
military considerations, but post-war developments will require cautious con
sideration. It is therefore recommended in the third place that a Communi
cations Board be constituted to work out schemes for the country as a corporate
whole with a view to the co-ordination of traffic by river, canal, rail and road.
Fourthly, special attention should be paid to the possibility of canalising
the river Tigris for navigation as far as possible along the stretches which are
at present difficult to negotiate (e.c)., the Narrows) and which may be expected
to deteriorate further, as irrigation developes.
96. There were no industries of importance in Mesopotamia before the Paragraphs 51 - 53 .
war, but the cultivation of the silk worm, formely very successful ne ar ^ e c 8 ouomic P° sslbili ‘
Baghdad, is capable of revival. The deputation of a qualified silk expert is
recommended. The preparation of hides and skins for export with the aid of
tanning products from India should be profitable. There appears to be good
promise of a dried fruit industry and the oranges grown in Upper Mesopotamia
should be welcome in India. Expert investigation is recommended in regard
to the possibility of producing a wine grape and of cultivating beetroot on a
large scale for the manufacture of sugar. The possiblities of sheep farming in
Mesopotamia are prodigious, since not only the wool but the skins are known
and approved in European Markets. There should be a large export of hides
and skins.
The oil “shows” in Northern Mesopotamia are very promising. It is
recommended that the fields should be developed primarily for providing oil for
consumption in the country at a reasonable price, since otherwise the wells
may be exploited for the benefit of existing oil companies. Tree-planting on
the banks of rivers and canals should be taken in hand at once and an
experienced officer should be deputed to report on the question of afforesta
tion.
97. Having regard to the anticipated opening for oil fuel, Mesopotamia paragraphs 55-56.
should offer a wonderful field for engineering enterprise, and especilly for the
sale of modern ploughs and other agricultural machinery for the use of which
the country is ideally suited. The Arab’s standard of living is already rising,
and after the war there will be a large demand for domestic furniture and
articles of personal apparel both for men and women. Cheap goods will no
doubt hold the field for some time to come, especially as regards china, glass
ware, ironware, enamel vvare, paper and matches. Spades of the native pattern
are in great demand and also cheap lanterns and lamps. As the purchasing
power of the people increases, a demand for better quality articles will
develope. The sugar trade needs careful watching in view of the uses to
which it was put by the Germans. The Mesopotamian demand for timber, not
only for date boxes but for oil cases and for building, should be supplied from
India. Important openings for trade may be expected in connection with town
development—building materials, plant for sanitation, water-supply, electric
lighting, etc.