256 A VISIT TO PERSIA. 
marked in the matter of artillery stores; friction tubes of a different 
pattern are required for each of the various natures of field-guns in the 
service. Thus the Horse Artillery battery attached to the Cossack 
cavalry regiments require one nature of tube for their guns which were 
purchased in Russia, while the Field Artillery, armed with the Austrian 
Uchatius gun require another description and the batteries armed with 
the carly issue of rifled guns require a third. Simplicity and similarity 
of arms and equipment has been far from the minds of those who 
control the supply of the Persian army. 
The amount of uniform in reserve is considerable and shews much 
more thoroughness of detailin the arrangements of the clothing depart- 
ment than is to be seen in other departments in Persia. ‘There is 
stated to be a reserve issue of clothing for 80,000 men, allowing one 
winter and one summer suit for each man, also the necessary pouches, 
belts, water bottles and other articles of smaller equipment, as well as 
camp cooking utensils. Supplies of this nature may be taken ag 
sufficient to satisfy the immediate wants of the army should it be called 
on to take the field. 
Looking at the military geography of Persia we see that Russia, in 
her relations to that country, occupies a position which, day by day, 
increases in importance. On the north and north-east she has been 
for years co-terminous with Persia, while her military position is being 
steadily strengthened by the extension of her railway system. ‘The 
Trans-Caspian railway has given Russia a line running parallel to the 
whole northern frontier of Khorassan, so that Russian troops can at 
any moment enter that province from any point on the line of rail. 
The proposed railroad from Tifles through Hrivan to Julfa will remove 
any difficulties in the matter of supply which may have previously 
attended a Russian advance into Azerbaijan, while the line of rail which 
is shortly to be constructed from Astara on the Caspian due east 
towards Ardebil will render such a movement still more easy. 
A concession for a road which will open carriage traffic direct from 
the port of Hnzelli on the south of the Caspian to Tehran, has just 
been given to a syndicate of Moscow merchants and the road has 
actually been begun. ‘There is but one pass to be crossed, the Kharzan, 
the heights of which is 7,000 feet, but it presents no special difficulties, 
for carts can even now be brought over by the road which at present 
exists. The cost of the road will be defrayed by conceding to the 
constructing company the right of levying all tolls, while a Govern- 
ment guarantee of 5 per cent. on the capital expended has also been 
conceded. This road when completed must cause a great increase to 
Russian influence throughout Persia, particularly in the north, with a 
corresponding decrease in the influence of Great Britain. Russian 
goods will flood all north Persia, while it will be well known to all that 
Russian troops can easily, if required, follow the road which Russian 
merchants are now constructing. 
The Russian Government has managed to arrange that the carriages 
used by the bullock train contractors, on the road recently made from 
the Trans-Caspian Railway to Meshed, are of a pattern as suitable for 
