The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-08-13
The Great Per.ian Contrnct.

The Great Persian Contract.
From the London Public Opinion We extract
the following. which gives the details Of the con-
tract between the Shah OF Persia Ond Baron
Reuter-. The annual revenue Of Persia amounts
to about one million of dollars, but it Is supposed
that under European management and honest
collectors it can easily be doubled:
1.-The terms of the concession made by the Shah
of Persia to Baron Reuter- confer on the latter
privileges Of the most extensive kind. He OBJ
tains the exsIusive right to construct a railway
from the Caspian to the Persian Gulf. as well as
any other railways he may think fit, during q pc
riOd Of seventy years. The same right is extended
to tramways. The Government land required for
these purposes will be handed over free of ex-
pense while the land of private persons may be
bought at current prices. All stone, sand. gravel
&C., on the Government domains. which may be
needed for the construction of such works, the
Baron and his representatives are to obtun for
nothing and the persons employed by them will
be supplied with provisions, beasts Of burden,
&c, at ordinary rates. All materials imported
by the Barons agents for railway or other pur-
poses shall be exempt from any duty, toll, or
other payment TO the State nor will any tax be
levied on the lands. works, and staff Of the privi
legged parties. Their business will be carried on.
their products and manufactures circulated and
exported free Of charge. The Government, on
the other hand, is to receive twenty per cent. of
the net profits on the working of the lines aud.
after seventy years. the lines will revert to the
Government unless some new arrangements
ties concerned. A liberal price will he paid for
the buildings and other property belonging to
the lines. Gold, silver. and precious stones ex-
cepted, any mines on Government land may be
worked free of charge, on condition that the
Government shall receive fifteen per cent. of the
net proceeds Any private mine, which has not
been worked for FIVE years, shall also be handed
to the baron and his friends, if they so WISH
and all mines discovered by them may be bought
at the mere value of the ground above. They
may also obtain from the State rent-free what
ever land they may require for working the mines
or connecting them with high road or railway
and the privilege Of working the mines is con-
ceded for seventy years For the same term
they have the sole and exclusive privilege of
working the Government forests, fifteen per cent
Of the proceeds being reserved for the Govern
ment. In the same way the land required for
canals, wells, and other waterworks will be placed
at the barons disposal the Government receiv-
ing fifteen per cent. of the net profits, while pri-
vate owners will be indemnifed for any losses in
Cured therefrom. For the construction of the
railway and other works the baron and his ascot
ates are empowered TO raise capital of 96,000.-
600 in any way they please. On this capital, the
Persian Government guarantees five per cent.
interest, besides two per cent. towards sinking
fund the whole to be secured on the income Of
the State mines, forests, water-courses and Gus
toms. This guarantee will come into force only
after the construction of the lines between
Reshed and Ispahan.
a. Besides all this. Baron Reuter- is to farm the
Persian Customs for twenty FIVE years at cost
of 100000 year beyond the present receipts |
with further charge of sixty per cent. on the
net proceeds after the first five years. If the
Government wishes to start bunk the B ron is |
to have the first refusal. The same privilege is
secured TO him in respect of all gasworks, roads,
ielegraphs, mills manufactures, and other public |
improvements. 1t Is also agreed that the works |
with Mines forests. and water courses
shall be taken in hand simultaneously with the |
ing to supply the needful amount Of labor at cur
rent prices, and to protect the agents, servants,
and property of the BarOns representatives.
From all this it will lie seen how vast are the
powers which the Shah has delegated 10 pri-
Vate capitalist for the purpose Of developing the
resources of country hitherto untouched by the
hand Of modern civilization"