File 1377/1905 Pt 1 'Perso-Baluch Frontier: Frontier Demarcation' [‎141r] (53/188)

13. Erom the highest peak of the Kaoha Koh onwards, the boundary line,
as above drawn, is open to serious objections— :
( 1 ) It runs too close to our post at Robat to be convenient. The fort
and spring are only 423 yards within British territory.
(2) It brings within Persian territory a valuable alternative route to
Robat via Kacha and Bug Thanas and the Piran Spring.
(3) It brings the boundary line inconveniently close to the trade route,
and includes in Persia several neighbouring springs of water in
the valleys running down to that route, which would afford
facilities to raiders and robbers.
(4) Moreover, it may some day be of great advantage to us to own
these upper valleys, in order Jo furnish British Officers and
officials, who may hereafter have to be stationed at Robat, with
some place near at hand where they can temporarily escape from
the heat and unhealtbiness of Robat in summer.
14. To continue the boundary line along the watershed of all the hills,
north of Kacha Koh, draining eastwards into British territory, would necessi
tate a line from peak 7033 (near Bagaiwad Pass) stretching far westwards to
the crest of the Buzaf, Lakshak and Wawaila Ranges. This would bring
the Persian routes from Seistan to Bampur, Ladis and Jalk, via Duzdap, within
our territory and would naturally be strongly objected to by the Persians.
15. The line which gives us what we want, and does not interfere with
the Persian routes, is as follows : i.e., from peak 7033 (near Bagaiwad Pass)
along the main watershed to just beyond the Bandi Pass, and thence in straight
lines, or along the crests of ridges between nullahs, to Mina Bazar and the
highest peak of Lar Koh (peak 7766) and thence in a straight line to the
highest peak of the Koh-i-Malik Siab.
16. This line, to distinguish it from the blue line of HoldiclPs boundary
from Kacha Koh northwards, should, for facility of reference, be drawn in
red, and I will allude to it hereafter as the red line. It will be seen that this red
. t A* • • „ ™ __ Qr . line disposes of the objections attaching
* I use tte word‘river as written on the map, , ,, S, ,. • i j °
but it must be remembered that the Kacha and to the blue line. It glVCS as a boundary
Piran rivers are dry torrent beds with only no £ only the western and main watershed
occasional springs, here and there, in their beds. o{ ^ Kacha river and itg affluents, but
A. H. McMahon. the watershed also of the Piran river.* It
leaves our Robat post 2,552 yards within our territory, instead of only 423
yards as in the case of the blue line.
17. If it be remembered that the whole tract of country through which
these blue and red lines are drawn is absolutely barren and uninhabited, it
would not appear unreasonable to ask Persia to consent to the slight rectifica
tion of boundary involved by the adoption of the red line.
18. The question for consideration now, is how this rectification is to be
effected. The idea is entertained in some quarters that I may he able to obtain
from the Persian Commissioner an interpretation of the Holdich agreement
favourable to us, and this is based on the supposition that the Yamin-i-Nizam
is not adequately provided with accurate maps and information, and may be
found amenable to argument when brought face to face with the hardships
attending deferred negotiations in that desolate tract. I myself held these
views at first, hut am now most thoroughly convinced that to base any hopes of
success on the above supposition must only lead to disappointment.
19. I will naturally endeavour to make the most of the vagueness of the
Persian version of the Perso-Baluch Boundary agreement, and the misuse of
the name Mirjawa river and, by claiming more than we want, try and get the
Yamin-i-Nizam to agree to the red line, but I entertain no hope of success.
In the map given to the Persian Commissioner, Kacha Koh and Lar Koh are
distinctly shown as separate ranges, and tbe Lar Koh is shewn thereon further
within Persian territory than it really is. Moreover, the Yamin-i-Nizam, before
my arrival in Seistan, was very carefully tutored by the Russian Consul in all
that relates to this portion of the boundary.