The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-19
SOCIAL CONDITION OF PERSIA
ITS INpUsTRIAL DEVELOPMENT = CHAF

from POluk,
"TraVeiS m Persia."l
There is no more evident proof of the inte-
rests ol Persia being utterly neglected, than
the lack OF all kinds of communication. In
lew countries does nature oppose so few diff
culties to the construction OF roads as in
Persia. The extensive table lands, the hard
SOIL the small amount of rain, the absence OF
any large rivers, the rich mines of coal and
minerals, the excellence OF the horses and
mules-everything there is favorable to this
purpose. And, nevertheless, in Persia there
are nowhere any regular roads or highways.
People still travel on the same caravan routes
which were used thousands of years ago
over hills and mountains, along the torrents,
across abysses and gults, always in the
straightest possible direction. The only lacili-
ties furnished by human skill are bridges at
the most dangerous points; they are con-
structed from the products of legaces, but
never repaired. Hence the proverb:-
Bridges are signals OF caution not to pass
over them"
Naturally the want of means of commun-
cation, without considering the difficulty of
travelling, has very pernicious consequences.
Although in so extensive and fertile country
as Persia the crops never everywhere entirely
fail, 1t frequently happens that in one pro-
vince famine RACES, while in Others corn is
almost worthless. On the other side, it is very
much to be regretted that for the same rea-
son the rich mines of iron, copper, coal, etc,
remained unworked.
The state of agriculture is not less unpro-
missing, particularly if one considers the -four
ishing condition of this country in Olden
times. One fact is sufficient to characterize
its present condition, viz, that more than
third part of the population lead nOmadic
life. DR.. Polak addHces different causes to
explain how, in country which was formerly
inhabited by settled farmers, nomadiSm is
more and more on the increase. Besides the
despotic form Of government, lslamism plays
the most prominent and pernicious part. The
doctrine Of ZoIoaster, with a provident care
for the future, furnished all possible assist
ance to the culture of the soil.
In consequence OF the drynesS of the Cli-
mate OF Persia. artificial irrigation is inds-
pensable to successful agriculture 1t is ne
cessary both to draw the water out OF the
interior OF the earth and to lead it into the
fields, and to aid the growth OF trees, in order
that they may attract the moisture OF the
atmosphere, and, by their shade, prevent the
soil from being parched. Therefore Zoroaster
made the care OF pure running water, and
the protection OF trees, sacred duties. Chro-
nolOgy was regulated according to the posi-
ton OF the stars the year began with the 2lst
OF March, and every day had its patron; and
there was whole system OF rules and pre-
scriptions concerning sowing, planting of
trees, harvesting, and the OCher labors OF agri-
culture.
Islamism acted in an entirely different way.
The monothesm of the Prophet was ncom-
patible with the pantheistic idea of particular
patrons of the trees and sources, months and
days: as soon as the ancient belief OF the Per-
slams disappeared water and trees were de-
priyed of all the pIous Veneration which they
formerly received. The next consequence
was that the country was rapidly laid bare OF
its woods; canals became ob5truced and use
less. and the soil was gradually dried up,
ru,;olylu rODulotpd districts bppsmQ daSprts
regions which, on account of their healthy
situation, invited men to build large cities
there, are now marshes which breed the mos
deleterious miasmas. OF the system Of forty
thousand subterraneous canals which Herodo
tus says existed IN ancient Persia, there ap
pears only here and there single fragment.
On the other hand, the despotic oppression
which weighs on the inhabitants of Persia, is
very much calculated to favor and further
pomadism. The nomad Withdraws himsel
more easily from this oppression than the set
tied husbandman. The natural consequence
is that not only the nomads do not give VI
their wandering habits, but that families mort
and more leave their settled dwellings anC
ioin the nomadc tribes. The religion anC
form of government Of the Mohammedans ar
opposed to agriculture, the basis Of human
society Hence the weakness Of all Mosleu
political organizations, nay, the positive caus
of ruin to all Mosem reigs, and the asser
tion is not at all a paradoxical one, that 1t
only by becoming again Ghebers or adoreT
of the sacred fire that the harmony can one
more form a Well-organized society. Other
wise, the agricultural population of Persi
deserve praise for their great industry an
activity; it survived all the storms Whic
came over that country; Notwithstanding a
obstacles, they devoted themselves to ia
culture OF the soil, and the farmers are quit
satisfied if the Government will only NJ
push the system Of oppression so far as
make their very existence impossible.
DR.. Polak also pays his tribute OF aPprt
baton to the industrial activity of the Persia
people, although he acknowledges that sinC
Chardin, two hundred years ago, publishe
his eele ebrated travels in Persia, industry hi
rather retrograded. We need not wonder
this since the Government does nothing
all TO further it What, in this respect, h
been done by the Shah, was limited TO sou
experiments to introduce European manua
tuTes. These experiments most came to a 81
end. A number OF Russian and Fren
mechanics and WOrkmen were called to d
country and began to establish manuiactoriC
First came a factory of stearin candle
after spending more than eight thousa
dueats they succeeded in manufacturing sol
ponnds of stearin candles bearing the Persi
stamp and the arms of the Shah; but I
wicked world whispered that the stearin b
been brought from Europe. BE that as
may, the director Of the factory received tr'
the Shah dress OF honor, and the enterpr
came to an end.
Another experiment was that OF a pa
rnanufaetorv The pXDeriments To mi