'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎193] (228/714)

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POLITICS AND COMMERCE OF KHORASAN
In none of these three border districts is there the material for
any resistance to aggression from the North. The two Ilkhanis,
Attitude one of wllo m I have described in an earlier chapter, and
Eus a sia S both of whom are important chieftains, may talk very
big about opposing Russia, and cannot, in the bottom of
their hearts, be animated by other than hostile feelings towards
a Power whose propinquity has already shorn them of so much of
their ancient prestige. But it is more than doubtful whether
either of them would lift a little finger if invasion actually occurred,
while a steady influx of Russian presents for a, series of years be
forehand might be found to have sensibly alleviated the pangs of
surrender. Already Russia may be said to have obtained a definite
foothold in each. I have described the new military road from
Ashkabad to I\uchan, and have shown its strategical importance.
An alternative Russian road runs from Greok Tepe over a pass in
the mountains further to the west by Germab and Firuzeh to Shir-
wan, and is continued to Kuchan from that direction. A third
road leads up the Atrek to Bujnurd via Ghat from the Russian
military station of Chikishliar, on the Caspian. Russia keeps Con
sular agents (Russian Mohammedans) at Bujnurd, Kuchan, and
Mohammedabad. They are supposed to be there in the interests
of trade; but, in the intervals snatched from commercial applica
tion, are not discouraged from promoting the interests of their
country in whatever way a discreet intelligence may suggest.
Continuing eastwards, we next come to the astonishing natural
phenomenon known since the time of Nadir Shah, who made
Keiat-i- it his stronghold, as Kelat-i-Nadiri. The physical and
strategical attributes of this remarkable place have pre
viously been discussed. I have also mentioned that the Persian
Oovernment keep here a detachment (nominally) of 500 infantry,
scattered at the different vulnerable points, and two guns. The
inhabitants are chiefly Turks, and the Governor, sent from Meshed,
Haji Abul Path Khan, lives in a village in the interior, and
supplies 150 mounted levies to the Persian border horse.
For some time past Russia has turned a particularly affection
ate eye upon Kelat, and rumours of its cession by the Persian
Russian Government have been designedly circulated in order to
aspirations f am j}i ar i se t] ie public mind with such a transfer of
ownership. To those who deny such intentions on the part of
Russia, it will be sufficient to reply that a few years ago she
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