Vol. VIII. No. 36. IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
attention. He thought we might hope to hold our own with Germany, but, unless a radical 
change were made in our methods, he could not feel so sanguine with regard to the United 
States. Japan had herself evinced, and continued to evince, the strongest desire to cultivate 
closer commercial relations with us. She was now extending her consular system, and 
making many appointments of competent officers in our colonies with the avowed intention 
of fostering and extending trade. She was attached to us by strong political ties, and, what 
was more important in business, she recognized that everything we sold to her was of the 
best. An international exhibition, the first to be held, would be opened next year in Osaka, 
the Manchester of Japan. This would afford an opportunity which, he trusted, would be 
fully taken advantage of by our manufacturers to show their productions side by side with 
those of their rivals and to be represented during the continuance of the exhibition by 
qualified experts, who could, in the most favourable circumstances, investigate the prospects 
on the spot for themselves. 
Mr. Archibald Colquhoun stated that during his wanderings in the Far East in the 
past twenty years he had made no fewer that five visits to Japan, and he had been 
struck on each occasion with the remarkable progress she had made. In many respects, 
embracing, indeed, almost everything of any real consequence, there was a complete identity 
of interests between Japan and this country, and recent events — the development, com- 
mercially and industrially, of Japan, and. still more, perhaps, the evolution, now proceeding 
in Japan, of her sea-power — had made that similarity still closer. He felt convinced that 
the Pacific Ocean was going to be the arena of the coming struggle of the 20th century. 
The struggle would not, he believed, be territorial in its chief features, but commercial and 
naval, and it would, he thought, centre about the great trade routes which already were 
beginning to revolutionize the whole history of the Pacific. In this coming struggle Japan 
must play no inconsiderable part, and must be our rival, but he believed we should find in 
her a friendly rival ; and, in connection with it, he looked with entire confidence to a still 
closer bond between the two countries. 
THE SOCIETY OF ARTS. 
At a meeting of the Indian section of the Society, held on the 5th December, a paper 
was read by Mr. E. I’enton on the new trade route to Persia by Nushki and Seistan. The 
chair was taken by Sir IT. Drummond Wolff, 
In the course of his paper Mr. Penton remarked that the trade of Persia had hitherto 
been controlled through three main entries — namely, through Caucasia and Transcaspia in 
the north, and through the Persian Gulf in the south. The two northern entries were 
entirely under the control of Russia, while England had always been a predominant Power 
in the Persian Gulf. If, however, the Eastern markets required English goods they had to 
be carried by caravan across the Dashtidut. This placed goods entering Persia from Askabad, 
which was only 150 miles from Meshed, in a predominant position in Khorassan, which had 
for centuries been one of the richest provinces of Persia. It was this country which the 
Nushki-Seistan route was to feed with Anglo-Indian goods. The Indian railways only 
reached as far as Quetta, from which place Nushki was 96 miles distant, and though the 
country between these two places had been surveyed, at present all caravans must start from 
Quetta in order to be in communication with the railway. 
It was generally believed in India that the country between Nushki and Seistan was an 
absolute desert. The more correct description would be an unfertile country. The camel- 
grazing was excellent for the whole of the way, and only once did he reach a place where 
there was not sufficient scrub to make a fire. The journey in no way presented the difficulty 
it was generally supposed to present. Robat was the last British post, and the distance was 
accomplished in iS marches — five to Dalbindin, three to Merui, and ten to Robat. As far 
as Dalbindin the water supply was excellent, and sweet water was obtainable on the present 
route to Merui. Between Nushki and Dalbindin mud bungalows were being erected at every 
stage, but from Dalbindin onwards accommodation could only be found in the thanas, or 
small forts, except at Merui and Robat, where bungalows were already built. From Robat 
to the Kuh-i -malik Siah, the point of junction of Baluchistan, Afghanistan, and Persia, was 
only half a inarch. The value of this post as a strategic position could not be over-estimated. 
From Robat five marches brought the caravan to Pushtee Das, and from thence a diffi- 
cult journey was made to Nasirabad. where a British Consulate was first established in 
January, 1899, by Colonel Trench. From Nasirabad the route lay to Birjand, from thence 
to Meshed. On this latter section the expedition passed through the most fertile country yet 
seen, villages full of orchards rich with fruit being passed on the way. 
The bazaar at Meshed was found to be full of Russian goods, a fact which was not 
surprising, seeing that the distance between Meshed and Askabad, from which place there 
was direct communication with Europe, was only 1 50 miles. In addition to this advantage 
Russia gave large bounties to her subjects in Persia, which not only covered the cost of freight, 
but left a little profit for the merchant besides. The only British business interests were at 
present represented by a branch of the Imperial Bank of Persia, a wool buyer for a large 
firm ; but he had every reason to believe w r e were rapidly gaining influence in the town. 
With the institution of this route we had a channel through which our goods could pass 
with ease into Eastern Persia, and if we placed a firm foot at Robat we should be in a 
position to demand a share in any railway concessions in Persia that might be given to Russia, 
which would enable our trade to hold its own in that country. If, on the other hand, 
Russia were allowed to develop Persia alone, our position in the East would assuredly be in 
danger, 
The Chairman, in opening a discussion which followed, said that all would agree that 
nothing would so conduce to the interest of the Indian Empire, and of the British Empire 
also, as the securing of constant peace in Persia, They saw great advances on the part of 
Russia in the markets of that country, and lie only hoped we should be able to enter into 
harmonious relations with her so that there might he room for us as well in Persia as in Asia 
generally. He could not help thinking it would be futile on our part to endeavour to prevent 
other countries sharing in the trade of Persia. We should not oppose the making of railways 
in that country, but we should take care that we had a full share in their construction and in 
their control and management. Nothing was more desirable than to make Persia a bulwark, 
and he did not see why she should not become a sort of Oriental Belgium, 
Sir T. IToldich, dealing with the suggested railway extension from Quetta to Nushki, 
said that Nushki formed a for more convenient terminus for traffic from the west, and the 
establishment of a line between Quetta and Nushki would deal with the most difficult section 
of the not very difficult line which would connect Quetta with Karachi in the south ; and, 
if it so happened hereafter, as he thought it would, that England would see the advantages 
as well as the disadvantages of direct communication between the Khusk port and Herat, 
all the system of the south would work admirably into the connection. 
Major Sykes said he had visited Seistan two years ago to found a Consulate, and he 
was much struck with the progress made since that time. He thought the Government of 
India was much to be congratulated on the progress made. 
Sir Lepel Griffin thought that it should not be forgotten that, when Meshed was reached, 
an impasse was formed by the Russian frontier, which was only a very short distance to 
the north. The Russian tariff was so exclusive that it was very difficult for British goods 
to enter Russia at all, and he did not think there was a very large demand for them in 
that part of Persia referred to, as it was very thinly peopled. With regard to the question 
of opening routes into Persian territory, it must not be forgotten that our real entry into that 
country, and the real centre of British influence and trade, was the Persian Gulf. The prepon- 
derance of England in the Gulf had been the cardinal point of British policy during the whole 
of the last century. The Gulf was the key-note, so far as England was concerned, and it 
would be a great disadvantage to England if it was occupied by any one else. 
6 /1°l 
[February, 1902.] 47 
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT. 
CORRESPONDENCE AND ENQUIRIES. 
ESt " T he following are given as specimens of some of the enquiries which have been addressed to, 
and satisfactorily answered by, the Institute during the past month ( January ). 
* # * All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer. Enquiries 
which would involve special applications or expense will be a matter of arrangement with 
the correspondent. 
]. C. C., London . — Lemon grass oil. 
R. S. P., Alnwick . — General information on Selangor. 
H. D., Huddersfield . — Briar pipe manufacturers. 
J. S., Edinburgh . — General information ou Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. 
Verbal. — Fruit cultivation in Jamaica. 
,, Import Duties of Bermuda, 
,, Kauri -pine wood. 
,, Customs Tariffs of Spain, Portugal, etc, 
— ♦ 
REQUIREMENTS REGISTRY. 
In order to provide correspondents with an opportunity of making known special "wants" 
or "needs” in the British Colonies, India, and Foreign Countries, space will be regularly 
devoted to the publication of approved notices in the Imperial Institute Journal. Notices, 
as a rule, should not exceed 25 words in length, for which a charge of 2s. 6d, will be made for 
each insertion. Special arrangements can be made for longer notices. 
Specimens of Foreign and Colonial Woods desired. Purchase or 
exchange. Names and localities must be well authenticated. Address — 
Herbert Stone, Bracebridge-street, Birmingham. 
The Curator of the Canadian Section of the Imperial Institute is prepared to 
furnish information about Canadian Trade and to supply names of importers, manufacturers,, 
shippers, etc. 
The following trade enquiries have been received at the Canadian Section of the Imperial 
Institute, from the Curator of which Section further particulars may be obtained : — 
Home Enquiries. — A manufacturing company in a position to take considerable supplies 
of veneer which is impervious to moisture, would like to hear from Canadian firms- 
which can furnish the material. 
Enquiry is made for the names of Canadian manufacturers of wood flooring who are 
engaged in the export trade, and can quote upon specification. 
A company manufacturing pumps and pumping machinery is prepared to appoint a 
responsible Canadian firm to act as its agents for the Dominion. 
A Scotch firm desires names of Canadian producers of canned vegetables, fruits, etc. 
A West of England fil m seeks reliable Canadian agents to take up sale of stationery, 
novelties, gums, glues, window glass, etc. 
A company manufacturing spring beds would like to hear from Canadian firms who can- 
supply pitch pine frames for same in " knock-down condition." 
A broker and commission agent, possessing a good connection, is prepared to act as selling 
agent for first-class Canadian firm of packers wishing to develop export trade in canned 
goods. 
An enquiry has been received from the north of England for the addresses of Canadian 
manufacturers of carriages, etc. 
A London house wishes to be placed in communication with Canadian firms who can 
supply railway sleepers suitable to the requirements of tropical countries. 
Canadian Enquiries. — A Montreal firm of importers and manufacturers whose travellers 
visit the principal centres, would like to secure the agency of a manufacturer of metallic 
capsules for bottles, etc., not already represented in Canada, 
A British Columbia correspondent desires names of United Kingdom houses who can 
supply jam malting machinery and appliances and glass jars. 
A Canadian manufacturer of finished lasts of all kinds for the boot and shoe industry 
asks to be placed in communication with a United Kingdom firm of good standing 
prepared to do business in these classes of goods. 
A Toronto firm of dry goods commission agents of ten years’ standing seeks a few 
additional agencies in woollens, underwear, cottons, and similar goods. 
— p. -»■ ■ 
MAPS AND CHARTS— RECORDS. 
[The entire collection of maps (with the exception of a few atlases and maps issued by private 
firms) consists of authoritative publications of the various government cartographical department..*.™ 
Such as : the One-inch Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Ireland, a complete set of Admiralty 
Charts, and a selection from the maps compiled in the Intelligence Division of the War Office ; 
the monumental “ Indian Atlas,” and a large number of the publications of the Surveyor-General's 
Office ; Calcutta ; the Geological Survey of Canada, and the Government Surveys of Victoria and 
New South Wales. In the arrangement of the collection, the geographical classification of the 
War Office Intelligence Department catalogue has, with some modifications, been followed.] 
ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTION OF MAPS DURING JANUARY, 1902. 
AFRICA. 
Egypt- I.D.W.&. 
Sudan. Sheets of Intelligence Division Map Atbara, Beni-ShanguL Fazogli, Kelli, 
Sbabluka and Shendi. 
Presented by the Director-General of Mobilization and Military Intelligence. 
^ 
CEYLON. 
The annual Colonial Office report on the island of Ceylon shows that the revenue for 
1900 amounted to Rs.27,325,930.56, compared with Rs.25,913, 141.58 in 1899, showing an 
excess of Rs. 1,412,788.98. The estimated revenue was exceeded by Rs.2,205,930. 56. The 
revenue in 1850 amounted to about one-fourth of the receipts of the year 1900. The 
expenditure for 1900 was Rs. 28, 948,927. 17, including Rs.3,626,939.17 on account of railway- 
construction debited to surplus funds, and exceeded the expenditure of 1899 by 
Rs.3,997?9S6.Sl. The imports for the year were valued at Rs. 114,544,256, as against 
Rs. 101,542,220 in 1S99, while the exports were valued at Rs. 108,926,256, a decrease on the 
previous year, mainly attributed to the smaller shipments of plumbago. The export of tea 
increased by 20,000,000 lb., and reached 149,264,602 lb., valued at Rs. 53,735, 257. The 
shipping returns show a decrease of 1,335 in the number of vessels entered and cleared, but 
an increase of 1,048,735 in the tonnage. 
The estimated population of the island on December 31, 1900, was 3,612,303. 136,051 
births were registered and 100,873 deaths. The birth-rate was 38-2 against 38-0, and the 
death-rate 2S'3 against 3 ° 2 P er i, OOQ in the previous year, calculated on the estimated 
population at the middle of the year. Both birth and death rates show an improvement, 
and the estimated population exceeded that of 1899 by 123,000. Post office, telegraph, and 
savings bank business shows gratifying increases. The report refers to the participation of 
the colony in the South African war, and also gives particulars of the camps for the 
accommodation of 4,500 Boer prisoners. 
Regarding openings for capital in Ceylon the report is somewhat pessimistic as to the 
plumbago and tea industries, but states that cocoanut cultivation is thriving, and that minor 
products, such as cacao and cardamons, are profitable. The last paragraph of the report 
deals with the social condition of the people, and draws attention to the small demands made 
on the Ceylon native’s income in the way of taxes. 
