'Seistan' [‎34r] (67/782)

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( .^y i,h refer , en ^ e ‘(’is matter I would beg to explain that in the middle
0 9 * reported that British traders were complaining of the Persian customs
contractor at Nasratabad, and that orders were being sent to the latter with a
view to_ their treatment ; about the same time it was publicly rumoured that
a Russian Consulate would be established in Seistan. On August 1 8th, 1898,
1 telegraphed both to the Foreign Department and to the Minister at Tehran re-
* Colonel Yate was Agent to the Governor-Gen- ^ err,n g to Colonel Yate’s* and Mr. Bames’f
erai and Consul-General at Meshed. recommendations as to Seistan and expres-
chistllT Agenttothe Governor-Generai in Balu- sing at the same time a hope that an officer
might be appointed there. Colonel Yate’s
recommendations were summarised at the close of his No. 10, dated 1 ith March
1 94. He recommended “ the appointment of a special officer for Kain and
beistan with the rank of Assistant to the Agent to the Governor General in Kho-
rassan and Seistan, or else an assistant to act in Meshed during the deputation
of the present assistant to Seistan.
Mr. Barnes recommended} that a
t 1437‘C., dated 29th July 1897.
may apply if necessary for assistance.
3. It was arranged that Captain
4 From Tehran, 24th September 1898, weekly
news telegram.
P Telgram from Minister, dated 24th October
189S; alsojletier from the Minister to Captain Sykes,
dated No vember 1st, 1898.
trustworthy native should be left in Seistan
“ to keep us informed of the progress of
events and to or through whom our traders
Sykes should be diverted § from Kirman
and sent to Seistan to take charge of the
establishment of the new consulate while
it was intended that substantive |J arrange
ments should be made later on.
The Persian Government issued an exequator f for Kirman and Seistan to
1[Letterfrom the Minister to Captain Sykes, dated Captain Sykes. The instructions Sent to
November 1st, 1898. Captain Sykes laid down that as regards
Seistan he would be under the orders of the Consul-General for Khorassan and
Seistan. He was further told that any despatches for the Foreign office should be
sent under flying seal Letters which could be freely opened before reaching their destination. through him. A divided jurisdiction was the result be
cause as regards Kirman, Captain Sykes was not placed under the Agent to the
Governor-General at Meshed, while he was qua Seistan; but it was contemplated
that substantive arrangements would be made in future, and I understood that
the arrangement was temporary.
4. In despatch No. 2, dated 17th January 1899, Captain Sykes wrote that
he was of opinion that “ our interests do not, at present, require more than the
presence of a Political Officer, as during the summer all trade ceases and there
would be little of nothing to do.”
In his despatch No. 3, dated 1st February 1899, Captain Sykes argued
that Kirman and Seistan should be placed under one Consul, but he at the same
time said that “ only the occasional visit of a political officer is required under
present circumstances.” With reference to Kirman and Seistan being placed
♦•No. a3-A., dated the 18th February 1899. under one Consul, I pointed out** that this
. was opposed to the opinion of Colonel
Yate, who asked for an Assistant to the Agent to the Governor-General for Kain
and Seistan, that Kain and Seistan were separated by the desert from Kirman and
were politically under the Governor General for Khorassan who had no authority
in Kirman. Kain and Seistan are, moreover, not connected by the post with
Kirman, whereas they are connected by a weekly post with Meshed, under
existing arrangements.
5. With respect to the steps which Russia was expected to take, Captain
tt No. 3, dated the 1st February 1899. Sykes pointed out ff ‘that given the
, importance of Birjand no Consular Officer
will permanently live in Seistan.” In despatch No. 4,}} Captain Sykes urged that
Xt Dated 14th February 1899. 1 lt ^ influen Ce should
, . . l L o • be establlshed m Birjand. I have mention-
ed m a previous despatch that Seistan looks to Birjand for both its garrison