'No 2. Persia, Herat, and Seistan — (continued)' [‎93v] (2/4)

security of a province peculiarly exposed to the
intrigues and cupidity of powerful neighbours;
while, as a separate State, Herat would be too weak
to stand by itself, and might thus be compelled, m
default of control from India (which, as we have
already said, would be difficult), to look elsewhere
for protection and support. For these reasons we
concur in the decision which, as we understand,
has already commended itself to Her Majesty s
Government on grounds of Imperial policy, whereby
Persia will be provisionally permitted to occupy
Herat, under sufficient guarantees for her good
administration of it, and for her adequate protection
of British and Indian interests at that point, and
with a special reservation of our right to occupy
the place with British forces in certain eventu
alities*
“ 8.* While the terms of this understanding with
Persia will, we feel certain, receive fiom Ihi
Majesty’s Government an attention proportionate
to the magnitude of the question it raises, and the
interests it involves, we are more immediately con
cerned with those conditions which directly affect
our dealings with the rest of Afghanistan. 01
these, one of the most important is the future
boundary to be assigned to Herat; and this is^ a
point so intimately connected with the territorial
and political re-arrangement of the rest of Afghan
istan that, if any room is left for misunderstanding
or dispute as to the extent ot the territory to be
assigned to Persia, much confusion and embarass-
ment may ensue. We are not yet in a position to
demarcate this boundary, but we conceive that the
question is one that should be decided mainly and
specially on considerations of Indian interests and
policy ; and we are of opinion that Pur rah certainly,
and possibly Hash Jowain also should be excluded
from the territories placed under Persian control.
We are now actively engaged in pushing forward a
railway towards Kandahar; and, believing, a> we
do, that the opening of such communication affords
the surest guarantee not only for the peacelul
development of the countries traversed, but for the
permanent security of our frontier, we consider
that Persia should be bound to contribute sub
stantially towards the ultimate extension of this
line to Herat. It will be apparent to Her
Majesty’s Government that such an extension of
our Kandahar railway will be a most effecti\ e
means of ensuring the stability of any political
arrangement with Persia regarding Herat, and will
materially strengthen Persia in fulfilling her
engagements.
“9. The question of Seistan is nearly connected
with that of Herat. The conditions which justified
our intervention and arbitration in 1872 no longer
apply; and if it is decided to make over Herat to
Persia, we are prepared to recommend a revision of
the Seistan boundary also in favour of Persia.
This, however, is likewise a question on which we
are not yet in a position to express a decided opinion;