'Seistan' [‎73r] (145/782)

Demi-official Letter, Dated Camp Saindak near Persian Frontier March 19th 1900.
To R. Buller-Hughes, First Asst, to the Agent Governor Genl. Baluchistan.
From Capt. E. C Webb-Ware, Political Assistant, Chageh.
Yours of the 1st instant just received:—You ask me for an expression of opinion regarding the outlook in
Seistan and what my views are as to the steps which can best be taken to modify it so far as it concerns Seistan
and this Frontier.
I see that the papers I have received this day say that one of the conditions, under which Russia advanced
the recent loan to Persia, was that in exchange she obtains from Persia the right of free passage for her troops
over Seistan. Assuming that this is correct, and I think it by no means unlikely, although I confess my sur
prise that this condition has become public property, it can merely convey to any one, who has studied the
question, one meaning, viz that Russia attaches extreme importance to the possession of the military right of
passage through Seistan, in order that she may use that country, when it suits her ends to do so, as a basis for
offensive action, moral or active, against Afghanistan, and so India. I need not tell you what would be the
position of an Afghan force striving to repel an invasion of N. Afghanistan, if a Russian force advanced along
the Helmund and penetrated to the vitals of their country. Well armed and good fighters although the Afghans
undoubtedly are yet in this eventuality they could not hope to continue the struggle with any chance of ultimate
success or, I fear, hope for succour from us. With the loss of Afghanistan naturally goes the larger portion of
Southern Persia. The very knowledge that Russia possesses the right in Seistan, I note, appears to me, to
convey with it a very real element of danger. The Amir is a particularly strong shrewd man, who up to the
present has concluded that his and our interests are so closely allied that they can only be disassociated to his
disadvantage, yet in every respect he is an Afghan. Knowing his character, as we do, it is not too much to
suppose that seeing his country being slowly encircled by Russia, active preparations being made for its attack,
Persia being slowly, but surely, engulfed, and no counter preparations or precautions being taken by us, he will
think his interests necessitate a modification of his present bearing towards Russia. He would be more than
human, and no Afghan, if he did not do so. Remember what I say of the Amir applies with equal, if not greater
force to the Baluchs of Seistan, the Helmund Valley, and of the Sarhad, who are now heart and soul with us.
Try and imagine for one moment the state of Baluchistan with a Russian post, of the Turbut-i-Haideri type
stationed in Seistan : it would be insufferable. Why, every petty Baluch Chief who imagines that he has cause of
grievance against his Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. or the Local Government, will fly, not to Kandahar, but to Seistan, to place him -
self under the protection of the Russian Agent, and Baluchistan would be kept in a constant state of irritation.
We all know how prone Baluch and Brohui alike, are to distort trivial incidents into matters closely concerning
their very existence, and by way of protesting to go “ Yagi ” for a few weeks. Suppose we assume that the
Amir differs in every essential particular from the ordinary Afghan, and that he is content to rely implicitly on
the repeated assurances given him by successive Governments, what is to happen when he dies ? an event that
is likely to occur any day. We are, I understand, pledged to support Habibullah Khan. The Russians, I
gather from Mr. Muller, propose supporting Muhammad Umar’s candidature, and not Ishak
Khan’s, and the result will be—well one thing is very certain—the Russians, who display so marked an aptitude
for fishing in troubled waters, would find that the safety of their Central Asia Province imperatively demanded
the presence of Russian troops in Afghanistan.
To turn to the possible remedies, which can, in my opinion, be applied to the present situation there. I write
with diffidence as the question is one of Imperial policy and interest, far beyond my petty scope. The remedies,
or rather I should say the local remedies, I would apply, if the initiative rested with me, would be somewhat as
follows:—
Retaining our two Native Agents Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Birjand and Nasratabad, who have both done excellent work, I would
appoint a British Officer to Seistan permanently with adequate Staff, included among whom would necesarily be a
Medical Officer, and I would give him instructions to inform the Baluch in general and 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. Purdil Khan, the
head of the Seistan Baluch, in particular that we are both ready and willing to support them against Russian
aggression. I am fully aware that it is contrary to our traditional policy to support any individual 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. or
party across the frontier and that both the present situation in Teheran and the constitution of Persian Provincial
administration render the difficulties of doing so very pronounced ; but if we do not do so, Purdil Khan, who is
devoted to us, must either be driven into the arms of the Russians or fall, and with him goes to the wall our
prestige on this frontier, now so marked. Refer to para 4 of my diary for the week ending 8th March 1900 and
read it in connection with the following incidents. The evening I left Warmul, 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. Purdil Khan rode over
from Daulatabad to see me and bid me good-bye. He was very friendly but evinced much anxiety to learn what
was to be our policy in regard to Seistan. Having a very vivid recollection of the rap over the knuckles Lord
Elgin gave me, for recording the views I entertained regarding our policy towards S. Khorassan and Seistan,
I naturally declined to commit myself in any way ; yet as Purdil Khan was going he suddenly turned to me and
said, quite spontaneously: “Sahib, tell your Government that they can always rely on 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. Purdil Khan.” In
a previous letter I think I told you that on one occassion he offered me a thousand men. Purdil Khan is a fine
fellow and like every 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. of importance on this frontier he feels instinctively that a crisis in the history of
Persia is approaching and wishes to see how the land lies. Again the Damani have just cut to pieces a man
(Persian) who came down from Meshed and was suspected, apparently on good authority, of being a Russian
Secret Service Agent. I see you think that the Russian Agent in Seistan will be withdrawn at an early date;
dismiss this idea forthwith. Mr. Muller who has taken his house for one year, has instructions to remain in
Seistan three years. It would be opposed to the aims with which the Russians are very rightly credited if they
withdraw their Agent. The second step I would reccommend, is the one I have so persistently advocated viz
the establishment of posts at Duzdap and Mirjawa. The A. G. G. recently wrote to me on the subject of the
frontier between here and Koh-i-Malik Siah, but he confined himself almost entirely to the question of the
ownership of the Kacha Koh LarKoh Hills as far as the limits of the Southern daman of this range. I do not
think that the ownership of the strip is at issue, as we have been in quiet possession of this country ever since
February 1897, and during this period no question has ever been raised by the Persians regarding its ownership
nor has it ever been visited by any Persian Official. It is also my opinion that no question is likely to arise,
from pure Persian sources, as to the ownership of Duzdap, at least the Persians have never evinced any intention
to assert any claim to this place, although on my side I have always freely given out that Duzdap forms part of my
district. To digress for a moment, you will be interested to hear that the Duzdap Mamasani are doin<r very well.
They have excavated five Karezes and propose adding to this number. I have just come in from arran^in 0, some
of their disputes. . I expect to get about 200 maunds of Bhoosa, this year, off these lands, paying a & purel V
nominal price for it, I am insisting on this to emphasize the fact that they owe allegiance to us.
As regards Mirjawa, the question is somewhat different, for, as you know, Sykes, last year, gave away the
rif ? f ,T y sh 1 0w ’ However > 50 lon g as I know that I have the A. G. G’s. moral support I can stand any number
of official knocks, consequent on possible failure. I think I see my way to gain quiet possession of Miriawa with
out involving Government. Anything in the form of intrigue is most distastful to me, but as regards Miriawa
and Duzdap, I have absolutely no scruple whatever as my researches go to show that there exist three different
frontiers viz that on the ground marked by pillars not shown on the map, that on a very sketchy map which differs in
many essential particulars from that marked on the ground, themap itself being wholly unreliable, and lastly that i J
the mutual agreement, based on the faulty map Irefer to, and quite inconsistent with the boundary marked on the
ground. Ever since I came up here, in 1897 my one aim has been to bring Duzdap and Mirjawa under my control In
the course of the last conversatioD I had with Mr. Muller, he told me that he understood that the frontier’ be
tween Koh-t-Malik Siah and Jalk, had not been demarcated. I was quite taken aback by this remark and I would