The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-08-23
PERSIA.

Most contradictory opinions have appeared in
the newspapers respecting the contract between
Baron de Reuter- and the Shah of Persia. The
London Times of June 18th, described in full
the 81 concession - as it is termed. Under this
contract, Baron de Reuter- acquires the exclusive
right to build railroads, construct canals, work
mines and carry on all public improvements in
the Persian dominions. He is authorized to APP
p~ropriate the Government lands at his own will
and to use the Government quarries free of ex-
pense. If he wants private lands or mines, it is
guaranteed that he shall have them at the ordi-
nary prices of the country. All his men and
materials are to be exempt from taxation. Any
mineral deposit on the royal lands, except gold,
silver and precious stones, he is at liberty to
take. He is to have the entire control and dis
position of the custom houses and duties ON the
payment of 81 ,lO0, 900 a year-and capable of
being much increased. In return for these extra
ordinary privileges he is to pay from fifteen to
twenty per cent. Of the net earnings to the Coy
eminent, and the agreement is to continue seventy
years with Baron de Reuter- and his successors.
His first work is to construct 4 railroad from
Resent to lspahan, n distance of about four hun
dred miles, and running across 4 considerable
part of the Persian territory. For this he is
authorized TO negotiate a loan of $50, 600 900,
and the Government guarantees seven per cent.
on it. BY this agreement the Shah practically
resigns all control over the commercial affairs of
his kingdom.
The British TRADE Journal thinks it is an i'll
judged arrangement on the part of Persia, as the
only immediate obligation the concessionaire
seems to be under is to lodge G40, 900 in the
Bank of England within fifteen months of the
date of the concession, to be refunded in ex-
change for Il certificate from the Governor of
Resent, on the Caspian, confirming the arrival at
Enzeli of the rails necessary to carry the line
from Resent TO Teheran. 1t is declared that
there is not the smallest prospect of a line from
the Caspian to the Persian Gulf, or any part of
such a line, ever returning its expenses and it
is doubted if Baron de Reuters scheme, in its
present shape, can be made to succeed. The
London Spectator thinks it will be impossible TO
carry out the terms without conflict between the
Government and de Reuter-, and that the latter
will have the people whom he will Cypress, as
we'll as the authorities arrayed against him
Other papers say that the scheme is to open to
the Baron a field of incalculable gain. Baron de
1ACulCl IL Represented u NC Il LudIi u great utT-
ing, shrewdness and good common sense. What
he has done is to m for Persia a company
to accomplish for that kingdom what the East
India Company did for India, with the advan-
tage of the experience of that company for his
guidance. In the present impoverished condition
of Persia, perhaps this contract may prove the
best thing that her case would admit of. The
Shah, though an absolute monarch, has none of
the experience, knowledge or training necessary
to improve his country; the Baron will COM
mand all these. Persia stands to-day before the
world, a naturally rich country, impoverished by
bad government. The American and British
missions have been and still are giving it churches
and schools the Persian Company of de Reuter-
can give 1t railroads, telegraphs, and a system of
immigration. The result erelong may be, Chris
tianity, prosperity, and a great, free, intelligent
and happy nation.