‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎188r] (374/949)

goods are transferred to small boats, and are hauled or rowed along the River
Pir Bazar to the landing-stage of the same name, where the Resht-Kazvin
“ chaussde,” begins.
Prom Pir Bazar all the goods hitherto were sent on pack-animals, and
only lately, on the completion of the Resht-Kazvin “ chaussee,” has carriage
communication begun to be established.
With the carrying on through of the railway to Resht all these general
expenses will disappear, due delivery of goods will be secured, and our mer
chandise will become Predominant not only in Tehran, but in the whole of
north Persia to Ispahan inclusive.
All the roads for pack-animals from the south, that is, on the side of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , by which foreign goods reach the centres of north and middle
Persia, are so heavy, inconvenient, and dear, of which I had personal experience
that upon conveyance being cheapened and speed of delivery increased, all
foreign goods will give way to Russian productions.
The length of the line from Allat to Resht was found to be 345 versts,
with a very easy profile, and falls not exceeding ’ 005 .
The length of the line in Persia proper, from the custom-house of Astara
to the town of Resht, will be 155 versts, and the cost of the whole line without
rolling-stock 15 , 358,250 roubles, or 44,517 roubles per verst.
Assuming that to start with the two lines will require rolling-stock for
four pairs of trains, and reckoning its course at 10,000 roubles per verst, of
road, the cost of both lines with a length of 302 + 345=647 versts, will be
17,788,465+15,358,250 + 617 X 10,000=39,716,715 roubles.
Assuming that the two lines may be constructed in three years, Russia,
with an expenditure of about 13 , 000,000 roubles annually, will acquire 647
versts of line and acquire a firm footing in Azerbaijan and Iran.
Upon the completion of the line to Resht, that of the line to Teharan, with
a length of 310 versts and a cost—as already shown—of 22,000,000 roubles,
will be only a question of time.
Holding in her hands the two main life arteries of the country, Russia will
obtain a predominating importance in Persia, and will have nothing to fear
from trade competition on the part of Europe.
Having in view the acquisition of such an advantageous position, it is
necessary, however, to hasten, as, while there is no fear of competition from
the side of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. on account of the inaccessbility of the locality,
there is yet reason to fear the bringing of English goods to the East from
India through Seistan, and of German goods to the West from the side of Asia
Minor.
Last year Germany received a Concession for the construction of lines in
the valley of the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and the expected economic
struggle with the English in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. will compel German capitalists
to turn their attention to the Persian market, and try to find a way for their
productions from Mesopotamia into western Persia, and even Azerbaijan.
Germany, on account of the high development of her industry at the
present time, is a more dangerous competitor than England, and therefore the
question of uniting our railway system with the centre of Persia must e
decided as quickly as posssble, while the undertaking of the construction ol
lines by Germany and Turkey has not reached its final stage.
Lines from Tehran to the South.
The prolongation of railway lines south to the ports of . the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
and Indian Ocean is possible, but will require the construction ol dimcult mes
from Tehran of the following lengths : —
( 1 ) To Bunder Bushire, 1,490 versts; costing, with port, 179 , 000,000 roubles.
( 2 ) To Lunder Abbas, 1,530 versts; costing 183 , 000,000 roubles.
„ ~ . ' w r