File 1880/1904 Pt 1 'Perso-Afghan Frontier: - Seistan Arbitration.' [‎17v] (39/520)

I received, immediately after breakfast, a flying visit from the Yamin-i-
Nizam who had crossed the southern portion of this Hamun in tutins
yesterday, and camped some eight miles south of this. He kindly rode in to pay
me Christmas wishes on his way to Bandan, where he is going in order to
examine the country. The result of Captain Ramsay’s interview with him
appears to have been satisfactory, and he seems to have convinced the Yamm that
my refusal to alter the line is final. He said he only raised the question in the
hope he might assist the Persian cattle-owners concerned. He wants, of
course, to make as much capital at Tehran with the Persian Government as
he can over his efforts in Persian interests, and I pleased him by comirming
to-day what Captain Ramsay had told him I would probably do, i. <?., in replying
to his official letter, lay all the stress I can on the extent to which my boundary
line is favourable to Persia.
It is worthy of mention here that he told Captain Ramsay, when the latter
in support of some argument produced a copy of Sir Fred. Goldsmid’s book
describing his Seistan Mission, that he had been given a copy of that book
just before this Mission by Mr. Miller, and had been told to treat us like
Goldsmid’s Persian Commissioner treated him. He said the donor of the book
would be very angry at his having failed to follow Mirza Maasum Khan’s
example. This bit of information fully confirms what I noted on this subject
in my diary entry of 8th March 1903.
The Yamin told me to-day that he has been told to remain on in Seistan
after this Mission goes, but I could not extract from him why he is to stay
here. He professes not to know himself.
The Akhundzada and staff paid me a friendly visit to offer Christmas
wishes. Madat Khan also came.
Demarcation work progressed well to-day. Mr. Tate was able successfully
to align the boundary line some distance towards Nar Ahu, and several pillars
were built by Mr. Ward’s working parties.
26th December 1904.—I took the Afghans to see the boundary line from
where it hits this shore of the Hamun, for some distance inland. They all
seemed thoroughly satisfied. Mr. Tate completed the alignment of the
boundary to Siah Koh (Nar Ahu) to-day. The country is absolutely deserted
and waterless. I have had it searched for 20 miles round, and not a single
native can be found. We were told by our guides last year that Nar Ahu°is
quite inaccessible, and it certainly looks it, for the peak on all sides seems
nothing hut a vertical cliff. Pillar building necessitates all water for men and
building being carried from here.
Needless to say, the Afghan commissariat arrangements have proved
defective, and they have already run out of supplies. I foresaw this, so am in
a position to feed their camp. «
27th December 1904 .—I sent some men accustomed to hill climbino- to
Nar Ahu to-day to see if they could find a way up to the summit. They °sent
back word that they have failed to do so, and only succeeded in getting * three-
fourths of the way up the mountain. Mr. Ward caused us a little anxiety by
not returning to camp in the evening. I sent search parties out, and had fires
lighted above our camp. He at last turned up at 11 o’clock at night, havin°*
lost his way in the dark and going some miles south of camp.
28th December 1904 .—I rode along the boundary line, and climbed to the
top of the mountain called Koh-i-Mako, through which the line runs some two
miles east of Nar Ahu. The hill is one mass of fossils. Prom the top I was
able thoroughly to examine the sides of Nar Ahu with glasses, and came to the
conclusion that a good practicable way up to the top can be found by attacking
the hill from the south-east corner. I ordered a building party to try that
way to-morrow. Mr. Ward volunteered to accompany them, and leaving
him here, I returned to camp (38 miles ), and despatched beddin^ and food
for him on riding camels. I left with Mr. Ward, Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Bano°al Khan
who is a splendid man on a hill, and, if he can’t get up Nar Ahu, no one els-