2 jo [October, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 94- 
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
During the recent meeting of the British Association at Belfast, an interesting paper was 
read on the I2th ult. in the Geographical Section, by Major P. Molesworth Sykes, C.M.G., 
first British Consul in Eastern Persia, which dealt with the geography of Southern Persia as 
affecting its history, and introduced an account of the Ilelmand Delta and the great desert 
of Persia, known as the But. The following is an abstract of this paper : — 
Southern Persia and Baluchistan were situated between the rich alluvial plains and ancient 
civilizations of the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karun on the west, and that of the Indus on the 
east. Washed throughout to the south by the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, the country 
maintained a low level for a considerable distance inland, and the heat in summer was terrific. 
Additional disadvantages were the absence of good harbours, and the fact that in the Persian 
Gulf there was always either too much or too little wind. This coast trip ran back to range 
after range of rugged mountains, increasing in altitude until the Iran plateau was reached. 
The fertile zone of upland country was not very wide, and it soon decreased in elevation, 
sloping down to the paralysing waste of the Lut. In its east and west aspect, from the 
Tehran-Isfahan-Shiraz-Bushire road eastwards the Lut stretched right across the entire width 
of Persia, thus separating the land of Iran into two divisions far more effectually than any sea 
or mountain barrier. 
Southern Persia and Baluchistan had ever been comparatively barren countries, most 
difficult of access from the coast, and consequently had always escaped invasion by sea. 
Owing to the hardening influence of a livelihood gained from a sterile soil, and perhaps still 
more to the superb climate, a warlike race was produced, which frequently held in subjection 
the inhabitants of the rich low-lying plains to the west, while more than once the martial 
hosts of Iran had swept all before them in the plains of India. 
Concerning the variable lower course of the Ilelmand, the author gained some interesting 
details when travelling in Sistan nearly four years ago. Sistan was not only fed by the 
Helmand, the classic Etymander, but its waters formed the lagoon in which this inter- 
esting river discharged. In the 14th century there was a solid dam, known originally as the 
Band-i- Rustam and later as Band-i-Akvva (evidently a corruption of Afghan or Agwan). 
This was situate at a point on the Ilelmand, some 40 miles east of the ruins of Hauzdar, and 
at an equal distance from the limits of Sistan as it was to-day. A deep canal running west 
irrigated the fertile plain of Hauzdar, the main stream flowing north under the name of Rud- 
i-Nasru. On its banks were the famous cities of Shahristan and Zahidan. 
Towards the close of the 14th century Ststin was invaded by Timur or Tamerlane, who 
destroyed the dam, and thus reduced the Hauzdar plain to a waterless desert. The Ilelmand, 
while still keeping to the Rud-i-Nasru, created a second branch encircling Sehkuha, which 
had not hitherto been inhabited. 
There was apparently no other change until early in the 19th century, when the whole 
volume of water united to carve out a channel further east, to the west of the village and 
mound of Nad-i-Ali. As cultivated Sislan was thereby left high and dry, the Rud-i- 
Slstan was cut a little to the north of Sehkuha — a task of great magnitude. This was the 
state of affairs when Sir Frederic Goldsmid made his award ; but in 1896 the I lelmand began 
to forsake the Nad-i-Ali Channel, and struck out a new course between it and the Rud-i- 
Nasru. This was now known as the Rud-i-Perian, which was a fine river when the author 
crossed it on a reed raft in 1S99. It was anticipated by the greybeards of Sistan that the 
wayward Helmand would finally return to the ancient Rud-i-Nasru. 
The Lut, undoubtedly the salient characteristic of Persian physical geography, was 
believed to have been in early time an inland sea, which theory was supported by the 
presence of the active volcano of Sharhad, the extinct volcano of Bazman, and many legends. 
Careful enquiry had led the author to believe that the name Lut properly applied to the 
whole of the great desert of Persia, including the so-called Dasht-i-Kavir in the north and 
the Dasht-i-Lut in the south, and that its saline portions were known as Kavir, which was 
undoubtedly the Arabic word kafr, signifying a saline swamp. 
As regards the term Lut, the guides pointed out fantastic bluffs, resembling forts, 
mosques, or cathedrals, and explained how they were ruins of cities which the Almighty 
destroyed, as was the case with the cities of the plain, from which Lot escaped with so much 
difficulty. It would seem that this great waste of Persia had become associated (most 
appropriately) with the name of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. The author finally made some 
remarks on the trade routes and on the telegraph line which was being constructed across 
Persia, showing how in every case direction was determined by geographical features. 
The president, Sir Thomas Iloldich, in offering the thanks of the meeting to Major 
Sykes for his paper, said lie wished to emphasize the importance of keeping an eye on the 
geography of that part of the country dealt with which included Sistan. The map showed 
the difficulty of approaching India from any possible side but the west or north-west. That 
was the key to most of the approaches to India, a side from which military advances had 
been made which had changed the destinies of the whole of the north of India. Great 
interest had been shown lately in the proposal — the sanctioned proposal— to construct a 
railway between Quetta and Nushki. There might be some reason for apprehension that it 
was intended to carry the railway a little further, but there need be no apprehension on that 
point at present, because Nushki, being on the edge of the desert, formed the Best terminus for 
the caravans between Sistan and India. 
Another point to which he wished to refer was the construction of a new telegraph line 
to connect Teheran presumably with Quetta. No doubt the maintenance of such a line would 
cost far less than the maintenance of the present line by the coast to Karachi ; but he could 
not help thinking that it would be a great mistake to abandon the latter line. The present 
route necessitated the maintenance of a telegraph steamer, and that introduced a certain 
number of British officers to various ports in the Persian Gulf, which would not otherwise be 
visited by them. The presence of that steamer was no doubt a very important political factor. 
It was tolerably obvious, too, that a line running along the coast was very much more easily 
reached than a line that was run into the interior, and it was a well-known fact that whenever 
local disturbances arose in Persia the first thing the people did was to make for the nearest 
telegraph station, and it was inconceivable that matters in that part of the world had arrived 
at such a point of development that such things would not occur again. If the line in the 
interior were destroyed, it would lie very difficult to restore it without the assistance of a con- 
siderable body of troops. A coast line, on the other hand, could always be repaired easily. 
— ♦ 
British Trade with Bulgaria. — The reports of various British consular officers in Bulgaria 
show a material improvement in British trade there. The imports from Great Britain increased 
from ,£301,150 in 1900 to £556,675 last year, and the exports to this country from £239,665 to 
£635 , o t 3. The increase in Manchester fine goods was very marked, and there was also a large 
increase in yarns. Chemicals and iron were also sent in larger quantities. The Johnstone line of 
steamers have come to an arrangement with the Bulgarian railways which has led to considerable 
reductions in the charges for British goods, and to a system of through rates from manufacturing 
centres in Great Britain to inland places in Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. Textiles, for instance, 
now pay 6s. per 220 lb. from Manchester to Philippopolis, via Bourgas. At Varna, British 
imports last year were double those of 1900, which, however, was an extremely bad year. The 
chief competition with British cottons comes from Italy. The Italian manufacturer is described as 
very active and enterprising. He spares no pains to study the wants and means of his customers, 
and has thus broken down the virtual monopoly Manchester once enjoyed. 
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT. 
CORRESPONDENCE AND ENQUIRIES. 
ISsf’The 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 ( September ). 
Q* 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 corresponden t. 
Board of Trade, London, — Particulars of the coal and coalfields of South Africa. 
H. H. M. — Rates of wages of stonemasons in Melbourne and Montreal. 
J. S. , Somerset. — Climate of Georgetown, British Guiana. 
H. & Sons, London. — Kinds of carriages used in Mauritius, 
Ii B. & Sons, London. — Methods of manufacturing certain picture frame moulding. 
M. & F. , London. — Vanilla cultivation. 
R. M. & Co., Birmingham. — Coffee- and sugar-planting in Queensland. 
W. & C. P. , London.^— Manufacturers of cement, flour, sugar, and packers of fish, in the 
Colonies. 
V., London. — Imports of petroleum into Newfoundland. 
S. A. C. , London. — Banana cultivation in the West Indies, 
F. A. G., London. — Export trade of Ceylon. 
R. IT. J., London. — Customs Tariff of New Zealand. 
E, A. E. , London. — Rubber and castor oil, cultivation of plant, collection and preparation. 

REQUIREMENTS REGISTRY. 
In order to provide correspondents with an opportunity of making known specia! “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. 
Ti-ie 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 London firm wishes to hear from Canadian shippers of Melpeque 
and Caraquet oysters. 
A London house asks to be placed in communication with Canadian producers of pulp board 
used for making boot and shoe soles, 
A manufacturing firm is prepared to appoint suitable Canadian resident agent for the sale 
of paraffin specialities and other druggist wares. 
An enquiry has been received for the names of Canadian shippers of caviare. 
A London firm wishes to secure one or more agencies of Canadian producers of manu- 
factured building supplies. 
Canadian Enquiries. — A Toronto firm asks to be placed in communication with United 
Kingdom importers of honey and maple syrup. 
A correspondent in the maritime provinces seeks agencies in liquors, tobacco, pipes, etc. 
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 departments. 
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 Geographical 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 SEPTEMBER, 1902. 
AFRICA. 
British Central Africa, No, 1479, provisional, 9 sheets. 
East Africa, No. 1539: — North-east Somaliland, South-east Somaliland, and South-west 
Somaliland. 
Egyptian Sudan, No. 1489: — Debba, Merowe. 
Presented by the Director-Central of Mobilization and Military Intelligence. 
¥ — 
CHARTS AND PLANS. 
Published by the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, during July and August, iqoo ; 
J. D. Potter, Agent, 145, Minor ies, London, E.C. 
No. New Charts. 
3275 Ireland, west coast : — Blacksod bay. 
1458 Spain ; — Ports and anchorages on the east coast of. Plans added : — Cullera anchorage, 
P. Di 4 nia, Benicasim road, Columbretes islands. 
3276 Balearic islands: — Iviza and Formentera islands and channel between Iviza and 
Espalraador. 
3277 Balearic islands : — Ports San Antonio and Iviza. 
3259 Newfoundland, east coast : — Green head to Little bay island. 
3270 Newfoundland Head of Fortune bay, including long harbour. 
3204 United States, east coast : — New York bay and harbour. 
3286 South America, east coast : — Rio de San Francisco do Norte to River Tariri. 
3260 British Columbia : — Johnstone strait. 
3284 India, west coast. Gulf of Kutch ; — Salaya harbour. 
3296 Eastern archipelago. Plans in Timor: — Koepang bay and approaches, Koepang road, 
Hansisi anchorage. 
3294 Yang tse kiang : — Hankau. 
3163 Japan, south-east coast : — Nipon island, Katsuura wan. 
199 Adriatic : — Brindisi to Ortona. New plan : — Vieste. 
421 Newfoundland : — Plans on the east coast of. Plan added : — Toulinguet harbours. 
2141 Newfoundland, south coast :— Richards harbour to Ramea island. Plans added : — Heads 
of White Bear, Hare, and Rencontre bays. 
3016 Newfoundland, west coast. Cow head to Rich point. Plan added : — Bad bay. 
220 Newfoundland, north-west coast. Savage cove to St. Barbe bay. Plans added : — Flower 
cove, St. Barbe harbour. 
2923 Australia, east coast. Hope islands to Turtle group. New plan : — Cook's passage. 
Charts that have received additions or corrections too large to be conveniently inserted by hand, and 
in most cases other than those referred to in the Admiralty Notices to Mariners. 
No. 
1828 England, east coast : — The Downs. 
2693 England, east coast: — Orwell and 
Stour rivers. 
2053 Ireland, south coast : — Kinsale harbour 
and Oyster haven. 
2745 France, west coast : — lie de Has and 
adjacent coast. 
710 Spain. Anchorages on the north 
coast : — Port Castro Urdiales. 
2233 Black Sea : Sheet IV. : — Sevastopol to 
Kertcli strait. 
2205 Black Sea:— Kertch strait. 
2978 Iceland : — Sigle fiord to Niardvig. 
2979 Iceland : — Niardvig to Storksnres. 
2980 Iceland: — Storksnres to Portland. 
2042 North America Gulf and River St. 
Lawrence : — Sydney harbour. 
2579 Cuba, western portion. 
495 Martinique : — St. Pierre roadstead. 
892 South America, east coast: — Maceio 
to Rio de San Francisco do Norte. 
No. 
24 South America. Chile : — Channels 
between Gulf of Trinidad and Gulf 
of Penas, 
2840 British Columbia : — Haro strait and 
Middle channel. 
1835 British Columbia : — Clayoquot sound. 
1844 Borneo: — Labuan island. 
3148 Celebes : — Salabangka strait. 
999 Gulf of Siam : — Menam Chau Fya or 
Bangkok river, 
1258 Korea: — Approaches to S6oul. 
2265 Japan : — Kobd and Hyogo bays. 
ion Russian Tartary : — Eastern. Bosporus 
strait (Ham elm strait). 
2130 Tasmania: — Port Davey. 
2922 Australia, east coast: — Turtle group 
to Claremont point. 
1896 New Zealand : — Auckland harbour 
entrances. 
T423 New Zealand : — Port Nicholson. 
