'The History of Seistan and Lash-Jowain' [‎76v] (44/76)

( 42 )
memorandum, on the subject of Seistan [1865.
containing the following remarks:—
, cc Although the British Government consider
Seistan as a disputed territory between Persia
and Afghanistan, the Persian Government great
ly regret that the British Government should
have come to such a conclusion. Arguments in
support of Persians ownership of that country
have lately been laid before the British Gov
ernment, besides which, in order to remove any
further doubt, Persia lost no time in notifying
to that Province that it belonged to her, and it
is in fact clearly proved to be in her possession.
“But should the Afghans, now that they have
got over the affair of Candahar, attempt to meddle
with Seistan, Persia will feel it her duty to con- ^
sider such a proceeding just as if it were directed
against Khorassan, or any other portion of her
dominions, and will therefore be entitled to deal
with it accordingly. *****
“ A long time has not yet elapsed since Persia
perceives, to her extreme joy, that the tissues of
dispute have been cut asunder.
“ If the British Government should state that
their advice in endeavouring to restrain the ambi
tious aggressions of the Afghans would be fruit
less, the faith which Persia has in the effect which
such advice, firmly given, would produce on the
minds of the Afghans, will still induce her to
hope, nay to feel certain, that such advice will be
attended to.
“ Should the British Government therefore also
appreciate the present agreeable condition of
things as regards that frontier, and the satisfac
tory state of their relations with Persia, and reci
procate the aversion felt by Persia to an opposite
course, it would be highly desirable that they
should not object to use their good offices with
respect to the Afghans, so that through their
friendly advice Persia's hopes of maintaining
Seistan in its present state may not be thwarted.
The British Government would thus prevent a
useless difficulty and endless complications.
“ If England Ms really no interest in these
suspicious and dangerous occurrences (in Afghanis
tan), and they will not affect her present or future
policy, Persia will be at once relieved of all doubt
and will know what course to adopt."
101. It is clear then that up to this
time Persia had not thought of acting on
the permission conveyed in Lord llussell’s
despatch of 5th November 1863, to assert
her claim to Seistan by force of arms, and
was indeed rather disposed to feel dis
appointment at the tenor of that des
patch.
102. On the 21st August, Mr. Alison
telegraphed* as follows to the Viceroy : * From Mr. Alison, to the Viceroy, dated 21st
August 1865.
“ The success of the Afgans at Candahar has
alarmed the king about Seistan. An early assur
ance, therefore, that you will dissuade Afghanistan