Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume VIII, No. 5 [‎36r] (74/154)

DE MORGAN’S “MISSION SCIENTIFIQUE ” TO PERSIA.
477
Loftus and others is cited to show how natural gifts are sutfered to lie
profitless by a community, whether the governors or the governed, who
prefer conventional dwelling-places of bad brick which entail little
labour, to solid and durable houses involving abnormal effort. Above
all, the reader is enjoined to give heed to the possibilities of a vast and
profitable trade in petroleum, of which the aspect of this part of the
country amply warrants the anticipation. Our author is of opinion that
what he designates a bandepelroliferc, stretching out in a south-westerly
direction from Kerkuk, in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. , to the Persian “ Pusht-i-Kuh,”
may be found the most important source of wealth throughout the
whole region. The proximity of Baghdad and the advantages which it
offers as a port of embarkation are pointed out, and it is argued that
while the naphthas of Baku must pass through the Suez Canal to reach
India, those of Zohab might be despatched thither in a direct line that
would be of inestimable value in competition. This question is dis
cussed with much useful and careful detail.
Amid the problems treated in the Kirmanshahanchapter, M.de Morgan
discusses the better means of developing traffic between the tablelands of
Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , but he himself supports the ambitious pro
posal of connecting Tehran by rail with Baghdad. His opinion on the
feasibility of this connection is, no doubt, worthy of attention. More
over, Constantinople to Baghdad, and Baghdad to Tehran, are com
binations not only desirable, but likely, as main lines of railway in the
future. One stated objection to the fulfilment of his project, in the fact
that the city of the khalifs is out of Persia, he considers unimportant,
because of the good understanding {ires bonnes relations') which exists
between Shah and Sultan. But we are rather inclined to accept his
view on other grounds. Throughout the length of the Turko-Persian
frontier, the hostility between the Sunni and Shiah on either side is
proverbial; nor is this feeling less marked between Kirmanshah and
Baghdad than elsewhere. Some years ago, when the Turkish iron poles
of the Indo-European telegraph were about to join the Persian wooden
poles across a tract of disputed territory, so great was the international
jealousy, and fear of ceding a yard of doubtful land, that proceedings
were summarily stopped. Her Majesty’s Resident and Consul-General
at Baghdad fortunately hit upon the happy expedient of using iron and
wooden poles alternately over the whole tract under litigation, or the
junction of the wires might have remained a fait non-accompli to the
present day.
Space will not admit of extracts from other than the two first
chapters, but all are worth reading and remembering, in connection
with the geographical study of the western side of Persia. Illustrations
abound in this handsome volume: these are, for the most part, good
and helpful to the due comprehension of the text; some are especially
attractive and artistic. Had we to select the more excellent, we might
No. Y. — November, 1896.] 2 k