Supplement to Commerce Reports Daily Consular and Trade Reports: Turkey, Harput

by Leslie A. Davis

The principal trade route in the district begins at Samsun on the Black Sea and runs southeast to Bagdad, passing through Sivas, Harput, and Diarbekir. Goods destined for this Vilayet usually come via Samsun, which is about 372 miles from Harput. This port being inaccessible at the present time, the few articles that come here are brought overland from Constantinople via Angora and Sivas or by mule trail from Alexandretta. Little merchandise has been received during the last few months. Freight rates are, of course, extremely high at all times, being many times greater than the rate from the country of export to the port of arrival in Turkey and often amounting to much more than the original cost of the goods. This region can never make much progress commercially until transportation conditions are remedied by the building of railroads, and this is not likely to be done except with foreign capital and assistance.

Housing Conditions—Military Exoneration Tax.

Owing to the lack of building stone and almost total lack of wood of any kind in this part of Turkey, all houses in both town and country are built of mud bricks called “kerpitch,” which is a mixture of mud and straw. The houses are not large and part of them is always used for the stable, one or two rooms only being reserved for the use of the family, which lives in the simplest and most primitive manner. Every one sleeps rolled up in a blanket on the earth floor. The only fuel used by the majority of the population is manure dried in the sun. Among people accustomed to this manner of living it can not be expected that there will be much market for foreign goods. The lot of the people is made worse by uncertain economic conditions and recent political unrest. The exoneration tax of 43 Turkish pounds gold ($189.20) levied on those who have been excused from military service in the present war represents the life savings of the majority of the people who have paid it.

Yet a certain amount of progress is to be noted. Many of the inhabitants have been to the United States. They have naturally brought back some new ideas, and as a result there is a slowly growing demand for certain articles. Most conspicuous is the increase in the sale of cheap ready-made and second-hand clothing. A large portion of these goods now comes from the United States. The total imports in 1914 amounted to about $25,000, as compared with $6,500 in the previous year. There is also a slight demand for metal roofing, the imports of which amounted to $8,800 in 1914, as compared with $750 in 1913.

Business Situation During the Early Part of Last Year.

Trade in this district was not especially good at the beginning of 1914. It is allways dull in the interior of Turkey during the winter months. The depression was greater than usual, however, as the country had not recovered financially from its two recent wars.

After the French loan was negotiated and the first payment received the prospects were brighter. Concessions were granted in connection with this loan for the construction of a railroad between Samsun, on the Black Sea coast, and various points in the interior of Asia Minor, and work was actually begun at Samsun. As much of the region between Samsun and Harput is very fertile and at the present time it is impossible to export the crops because of lack of means of transportation to the coast, the people were looking forward to a new era. The telegraph and mail services had already been greatly improved. During the spring and early summer there was much building activity at Harput and many new houses were in process of erection. In July the streets here were publicly lighted for the first time. At Sivas plans were made to establish an electric-light plant. Crops everywhere were unusually good and after the trade depression of the first half of the year a revival of business was anticipated for the autumn. The building activity resulted in an increased demand for some building materials. Shopkeepers and merchants were on their way to Constantinople to replenish their stocks, when suddenly a general mobilization of the Turkish Army was declared.

Trade ceased, as many merchants and tradesmen had to join the army. Harvesting was left largely to the women and children and a considerable portion of the crops was lost. Grain, animals, and goods of all kinds were requisitioned by the Government. Money was withdrawn from circulation and the banks refused to make payments.

Large Decrease in Import Trade.

The import and export trade of this region in 1914 was therefore practically limited to the first seven months of the year. The imports, however, during that period were greater than usual, due largely to the fact that this city has recently been made the headquarters of an army corps and increased business was anticipated. The total value of the imports in 1914 was $1,525,720, as compared with $2,194,450 in 1913. Of the imports in 1914, goods from abroad amounted to $1,038,660 and goods from other parts of Turkey to $487,060.