"تقرير عسكري عن جنوب غرب بلاد فارس، يتضمن أقاليم خوزستان (عربستان)، لورستان، وجزءًا من فارس" [‎٢‎٩] (٤٦٦/٥٦)

39
Miles.
600
From Sibi to Herat is roughly
From Herat to the Caspian roughly ... ... ... 700
In friendly intercourse with the numerous Khans whom I met wherever
I went, I was asked whether I were English or Russian,
British and Russian an ^ j consider that I lost nothing by my nationality ;
51 influence. ^ reverse was the case, for the influence of
England, notwithstanding all that I have heard to the contrary, is still, in my
opinion, in Southern Persia at least, superior to that of Russia. The vast
'i wealth of England in money and ships is fully recognised and the possibility
of her raising an army of t over a million of men, all told, was easily demon-
strated.
Nor is the country unfavourable, as a whole, to the march of an army
across it, and it possesses several advantages; flank
Muhammerah to the stacks need not be feared or could be readily foreseen
1 Cas P ian > vld Buru i ir • an( j provided against; the hills of Luristan are the
breeding grounds for the transport of the country, mules, donkeys, horses,
' cows; its pastures are excellent; its horsemen are well suited for all light
cavalry purposes and could be readily recruited and trained, for they look upon
war as their natural profession; the Karun districts and those of Hamadan
l' and Karmanshah are the granaries of Persia. For further considerations> see
Fart III.
Should political considerations not be favourable, the occupation of South
western Persia, i.e., Arabistan, Luristan and part of Ears, by a naval power
will enable it to coerce Persia, to threaten in flank an army based on the
Caspian Sea, and to protect any overland route to India, that may, in the
future, run through Mesopotamia along the line of its great rivers or to the
northward of them.
Its inhabitants have no desire to be subservient to either Prince or Shah,
and would welcome any change of masters under whose protection they could
live in peace, cultivate the soil, rear their flocks and herds, and enjoy the fruits
of their labours.
Such a position is next to impregnable.
See strategical consideration> Fart III,
For commercial values of the routes taken> see commercial considerations }
Fart III, and details, Fart IV.
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