File 1377/1905 Pt 1 'Perso-Baluch Frontier: Frontier Demarcation' [‎151r] (73/188)

Enclosure No. 27.
Telegram, No. 77, dated the 20th April 1905.
From—S ir Arthur Hardinge, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., His Britannic Majesty s Minister
at Tehran,
A To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Please refer to your telegram No. 1310 E. of 18th April. Persian
Government have made following verbal reply to my note of 8 th April, em
bodying proposals as to Seistan and Mirjawa questions:
(1) The abandonment of further delimitation is agreed to, and our posts
• a t padaha and elsewhere may take water from Persian territory.
(2) l he Persian Government agree in principle to the export of supplies
for Robat and other British posts, but they wish a definite amount fixed, and
are disposed to regard as excessive that which was suggested by Colonel
McMahon as the yearly minimum, namely, 2,000 kharwars of grain and 80 of
ghi. This point is still being discussed between us.
(3) Acquisition of Crown lands by foreigners {vide Government of India
despatch of 18th January). The Persian Government ask that this demand
be postponed on the ground that they have enforced the prohibition in
Asterabad province, whereas in Seistan most land is Crown. They are nego-
tiaiino- with Russia for withdrawal of Gumbad-i-Kabus Commission, I suspect,
bv saying we claimed similar rights in Seistan, and lor the repurchase of
Russian buildings, and it is with this object that they profess to have issued
the two prohibitions mentioned, which they hinted are only temporary. They
have received a telegram from Yamin-i-Nizam to the effect that Colonel
McMahon’s water award is very detrimental to Persian interests, and they are
telegraphing to him for explanations.
I have said that Colonel McMahon has not yet sent me copy, but that I
will telegraph to him also, and hope to discuss the question with them in a day
or two. I have a draft of Colonel McMahon’s award, but he does not want
this to be known. They would wish him to remain in Seistan a short time
longer until this issue is cleared up.
Addressed to the Government of India j repeated to Colonel McMahon
and Foreign Office, London.
Enclosure No. 28.
Telegram, No. 959, dated Seistan, the 26th (despatched from Robat on 28th) April 1905.
From— Colonel A. H. McMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E., British Commissioner, Seistan
Arbitration Commission,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your telegram No. 1309 E. of 18th April. I gratefully appreciate con
sideration shown to me personally, but sincerely trust it may be found possible
to allow whole Mission to return together. In view of difficulties which will
arise, and other difficulties which the effect of my departure may have on
those left, I would prefer to remain myself; but in recognition of the necessity
for eliminating henceforth from Mission all elements of arbitration character,
I would suggest Macpherson being placed in charge, either permanently or
until fresh officer is appointed. By recalling supplies sent ahead, there will be
sufficient for three and-a-half months’ consumption from now, but, after that,
difficulties in purchase will doubtless arise. To meet the political, clerical,
and accounts work, which supply and other questions involve, it would not
be advisable to reduce the native political staff, except perhaps by one Native
Attache. The survey and irrigation establishments could return.
In any case, for reasons stated elsewhere, I would most strongly urge the
immediate relief of both escort and civil staff.