German doctor has returned to the Persian capital. The friendliness towards the Germans has not suffered very much from the fact that lately many Germans of an adventurous nature have visited Persia and have in spite of a very friendly, even almost enthusiastic reception, published in the German and foreign press unfriendly criticism. “Persia's trade is now not so important as it was before the war owing to the fact that the principal route through Russia cannot be used to the same extent as before the war. All other export routes of Persia, namely Baghdad as well as that of Bushire and Baluchistan point to the East, whilst naturally Persia's principal buyers are in the West, from where it must also cover its demands for goods. As soon as the transit trade via the Caucasus becomes normal again, Persia can without doubt count upon an improvement in its export and import trade. German industry in particular would in that case find good prospects of doing business in Persia. The chances for the sale of automobiles are especially favourable in Persia as it has no railways, and is not likely to have them for some time to come, while on the other hand roads are being built and the whole country will consequently in the future be dependent on a very extensive motor car traffic. “German settlers have good prospects in Persia if they are fond of work and possess sufficient means to enable them to work quietly till they can make use of their first harvest. The schemes however of damming valleys and erecting long-distance power stations do not stand much chance of being realised in the near future. German firms doing business in Persia have been successful but not to the extent desired. The reason for this is the shortage of capital in Persia as in all other countries and the economic conditions of the whole world. Nevertheless some German firms, such as Junkers and Siemens and Halske have lately established branches in Persia. Siemens and Halske are fitting up a modern telephone service in the Persian capital. The first German all-metal aeroplane in Persia, the "Kuckuck" was sent by the firm of Junkers to Teheran in 1925 in order to study the possibilities of flying in Persia, and on its return flight over the Caucasus accomplished a remarkable record in German aviation. In connection with this success the Russians tried to obtain a licence for all the North Persian aerial lines which they wanted to work with Junkers aeroplanes. This licence was not granted to them, but the Persian Ministry of War bought several all-metal aeroplanes in 1924, and engaged six employees from Junkers. In the meantime some more aeroplanes have been sold to Persia and the aeroplanes bought are going to start shortly from Berlin to Teheran. It is hoped that this flight will be accomplished in three days. Last spring Junkers worked some trial lines in Persia for a few months, viz Baku-Enzeli-Teheran twice a week; Teheran-Ispahan once a week. Thus the possibility of regular flights has been proved and immense advantages have been gained especially in the carriage of mails, valuable goods and passengers. In consequence of this success, the firm of Junkers made a very favourable contract with Persia obtaining a Government subsidy for three lines to Baku, Baghdad and Bushire. This contract practically places for the future the monopoly of the principal aerial routes in the hands of Junkers. As the British have not placed any difficulties in the way of Junkers' endeavours regarding the aerial traffic, but on the contrary have declared their willingness to forward the Persian mail by their lines, it may be supposed that Persia will possess in a short time a perfect system of aerial routes which will be connected with the British lines from the Suez Canal to India. The saving of time in a country without roads like Persia is obvious. The post from Teheran to Bushire takes at least 4 weeks; a caravan of goods 2-3 months; a motor car a fortnight; whilst an aeroplane takes 7 to 8 hours. “In consequence of the concession granted to Junkers, this firm intends in the future to work the following routes: Teheran-Tabriz (which line will be connected with the Turkish aerial routes and which is the shortest aerial route to Europe), Teheran-Mazanderan, Teheran-Meshed, TeheranIspahan-Jezd-Kernan, further lines from Tabriz to Tiflis, and from Meshed to Russian Turkestan etc.” Jarolimek's reference to the proposed line Teheran-Ispahan-Jezd-Kernan is interesting. The obvious next stop on this line would be Duzdab, and then on to India. Coupled with another of Jarolimek's proposed lines Teheran-Tabriz, this would create a major route from Europe to India. One suspects that this is the central Persian route desired by the Persian Government.
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