'The Russians in Akhal' [‎49r] (49/68)

Henvey’s Precis, 1872-75, p. 20.
India Secret, No. 69, 1873.
Henvey’s Precis, 1872-75, p. 19.
Henvey’s Precis, 1872-75, p. 21.
India, September 1878.
Henvey’s Precis, 1872-75, p. 25.
PART III.
i\.PGHANISTAN AND THE TURCOMANS.
Shore-Ali-Khan, the late Amir of Afghanistan,
entertained a great anxiety on account of the
Russian advances from the Caspian, and inde
pendent of the language used by him at a Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family).
at Cabul, the Cabul Envoy informed the Viceroy,
on the 12th July 1873, that “the rapid advances
“ made by the Russians in Central Asia has
“ aroused the gravest apprehensions in the minds
“ of the people of Afghanistan,” the Amir saying,
that “ whatever specific assurances the Russians
“ might give, and however often these might be
“ repeated, the people of Afghanistan could place
“ no confidence in them, and would never rest
“ satisfied unless they were assured of the aid of
“ the British Government.”
What the late Amir said at the Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). , as re
ported to the India and Home Governments, was
as follows:—
“ God alone knows what will happen if, refusing
to accept Russian nationality, the Turcomans
sought refuge from the Russians in Badgheez in
Herat and were pursued by the Russians. In such
a case the Russians would from time to time call
upon the Afghan Government either to prevent the
Turcomans from aggression, or to permit the
Russins to punish those hostile tribes. In this
manner the Russians would make communications
for exercising some influence in my country.”*
In answer to the question put by the Envoy of
the Amir of Cabul to the Viceroy of India on the
30th July 1873, as to the reply which the Amir
should give to the Turcomans who had offered
allegiance to Afghanistan and had preferred a re
quest for advice as to the attitude they should
assume to the Russians who had demanded a
passage for their troops through the Turcoman
territory, His Excellency counselled the Amir “ to
“ abstain from interference in the affairs of the
“ Turcomans beyond his frontier, and to disclaim
“ the allegiance which had been proffered to him
“ by them. The Russians,” it w r as added, “ had a
“ just and legitimate quarrel with the Khan of
“ Khiva, to punish whom their troops were then
“ marching through the Tekd country.” If the
Amir thought it necessary to give the Tekes
advice, it should be to the effect that they should
allow an unmolested passage to the Russians, and
in no way whatever interfere with their operations.
* The very same opinion was expressed in the note addressed
to me by Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Iskander Khan Barukzei when he was in
London, which was inserted in my Memorandum on Merv in 1875.
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