File 1880/1904 Pt 1 'Perso-Afghan Frontier: - Seistan Arbitration.' [‎252v] (513/520)

to the attitude of Persia, he cannot obtain the information necessary to allow
of his formin 0 * an opinion as arbitrator, he should report the state of affairs,
with an expression of his views, for the consideration of His Majesty’s Govern
ment. Major McMahon should be careful not to recognise any rights of inter
vention on the part of the Russians in case their Consul, or any one else
assuming to represent their interests, should be in the neighbourhood. We
see no reason why the camp of the Commission should not remain in Afghan
territory, and Sir A. Hardinge will be instructed by the Foreign Office to
explain*to the Persian Government that it probably will not be necessary in
this case for Major McMahon, when he has occasion to enter Persian territory,
to be accompanied by the whole of his escort. Please repeat this message to
Tehran.
' A*
Telegram, dated the 14th January 1903.
From—Foreign, Calcutta,
To—British Minister, Tehran.
Following telegram received from Secretary of State, dated 13th January : —
Begins. ..#••••••••••
. . . . Ends.
Jc Jn
>sU.l
Teh gram No. 1, dated the 15 th January 1903.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
The following communication has been sent to-day to the Foreign
Office :— Begins. With reference to your telegram No. 2, I had already on the
6th January addressed a note to the Grand Vizier, regarding Major McMahon’s
escort, in terms almost identical with those used by Vour Lordship. The
Grand Vizier has replied in a friendly note expressing satisfaction. The
Minister for Foreign Affairs, in an official note on the same day, proposed the
postponement of arbitration, or the participation in it of a Russian representa
tive. Next day I replied that “ we continued to prefer to adhere to^ the
procedure provided by the treaty and could not accede to Russian intervention.
Your Lordship’s latest message *1 will now give to the Grand \izier, who has
been away from town.
/Telegram No. 98-1., dated the 15th January 1903.
From—The Quartermaster-General, Intelligence Branch, Simla, *
To—Foreign, Calcutta.
98-1. Following telegram received cipher from Officer Commanding,
Quetta:— Begins. Smyth reports eighteen days ago the depth of water in
Helmund between Rudbar and Kala Bist averaged between three and a half
and four and a half feet. It was fordable everywhere for a man on foot or
horseback, except where the river narrows, and rush of current made it difficult
for man or horse to keep their feet. Ends.
Telegram No. 92-F., dated the 17 th January 1903.
From—Foreign, Calcutta,
To— Major McMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E., Nushki.
Russian Embassy, London, having remonstrated against strength of your
escort, Lord Lansdowne declined to hold out hope of reduction or abandon
ment of Commission, stated that he could not admit Russian right to question
our arrangements, and that he regarded Russian remonstrance as quite out of
order. If you find on arrival at frontier that, owing to Persia’s attitude, you
cannot obtain information necessary for forming opinion as arbitrator, you
should report state of affairs, with expression of your views. You should he
careful not to recognize any rights of intervention on part of Russians in case
their Consul, or any one else assuming to represent their interests, should be m
the neighbourhood. If circumstances render this course desirable, your camp can