'Correspondence respecting the occupation of Merv by Russia and her proceedings on the Khorassan Frontier of Persia.' [‎116v] (14/26)

Kaiar Khan refused it, and went back to
Kha^ Ihev were attacked about three miles from
fnrt The fiffhting seems to hare been of a
tth "character. “The people of Mfv were anxious
that the Russians should occupy the old vilbk,
Merv, named Poorsa Eala, near the great darn, and
some 20 miles south of Kala Koushia Kha ,
Russian General said, “No; he must occupy
« Kala Koushid Khan itself. . _ mi , ,
Mons. de Giers account to Sir E. Thornton of
what had passed was, that General Komarod had
gone to Merv with a small escort, accompanied by
a M. Teharikoff, an employe of the Russian foreign
Office, the object of his journey being to make
inquiries, so as to form an opinion and report to his
Government what measures it would be expedient
to take for the future government of the country.
Erom M. Tcharikoff His Excellency had heard that,
the General had been extremely well received by
the Mervites, and that all the different tribes were
ready to swear allegiance to the Emperor, but that
on their way to Merv they had been slightly
molested by Saryk Turcomans, who, it was said,
were influenced by the Afghans.*
Subsequently M. de Giers admitted that there
had been some little trouble on General Komaroff* s
arrival at Merv, or rather before he actually entered
the place. He said that the General had with him
an escort of 200 men, that on approaching Merv
they were surrounded by a multitude of armed
Turkomans, who were incited to resist their advance
by an Afghan whose name he could not recall.
Some shots were fired by these men, when the
Russian escort was also obliged to fire. One Rus
sian was w r ounded, and several of the Turkomans
were killed. The ringleaders were arrested, but
the Afghan escaped for the moment; he was, how
ever, pursued and captured.
The resistance having been crushed, General
Komaroff entered the Settlement, was exceedingly
well received, at once established a court of justice,
and was considering what steps should be taken for
the future government of the Merv Turkomans and
of their territory. M. de Giers expressed his hope
that peace and order would soon be established in
those regions.f
The so-called Afghan above mentioned was after
wards stated to be a certain “ Siah-posh Dervish,”
whose name has figured largely in the reports from
the Persian frontier during the last year. Colonel
Stewart heard that he was a son of the Amir of
Bokhara.J Mons. de Giers informed Sir E. Thornton
that documents found upon him proved him to be
an agent of Ayub Khan, and claimed that, in
effecting his capture and detaining him in con
finement, the Russian authorities had rendered a
service to the Amir of Afghanistan.§
In the course of the month of May, Prince
* From Sir E. Thornton, 26th March
1884 ; No. 78.
Asia; Sect. 237.
| From Sir E. Thornton, 3rd April 1884.
No. 87. *
Asia; Sect. 234.
t Report, 13th February 1884.
Asia; Sect. 237.
§ Asia ; Sect. 252. See also despatch
Irom Mr. Thomson, No. 103; dated 2nd
July 1884.