Settlement and Demarcation of the Frontier between Persia and Baluchistan [‎413v] (62/74)

-i, • • i mi fy.r.f the mention of the Dasht Khor in the telegraph
> V s JU f I^TfiS bS ctused the Shah to suppose that river the actual
negotiations of 18 ® 7 - 68 “ y S red line of proposed settlement on Lovett’s map.
Tr^ht Khor was nameTbecause its mouth ish well known point « the sea
» v / ,i linnpr 0 f the river was never intended. The boundary line is a
very fewhiles 6 wesdorthe Dusht River at and near the sea. See Lovett’s map.
(Signed) F. J. GOLDSMID, Major-General,
On special duty.
No. 170, dated Gulahek, the 21st August 1871.
From—M ajok-Genbhal F. J. Goldsmid, c. b., on special duty.
To-Her Britannic Majesty’s Minister in Persia.
In accordance with an intimation received by letter from the Minister of
,, . Aff • |i, e igth instant, and a note from the Persian Boundaiy Gom-
missioner of the same date, I proceeded with Captain Smith to wait upon le
Shah soon after midday yesterday.
We were received as usual in the upper room of the garden building, and
detained there until His Majesty’s leisure was notified. On our way to t e pa ace
we were met and accompanied by Mirza Saeed Khan.
The King was seated, when we entered, on a chair placed outside and below
the recess. After a few courteous expressions regarding my health and the fatigue
of our recent journey, business was commenced by His Majesty, who rose and
carried on the discussion with the most marked courtesy and affability. It was
evidently intended that strict ceremony .should he secondary to the objects of t
rrvn.Tl'f'.Pfl
His Majesty remarked that much trouble had been taken m this Beloochistan
enquiry, and it would a pity that the results should not be satisfactory. _ ihe
work should not be without good fruit. There should henceforward be peace and
safety in Beloochistan. The raids and other causes of complaint shou d no longer
form subject of representation by the British Minister when reported from In la.
A final settlement of boundary was the desirable and effectual remedy.
In the absence of the Persian map, the English one was made available ; and
the Shah evidently knew the localities intended in one as in the other, for. he
traced readily with the finger such Districts as were brought under discussion.
Could we not accept the lines which he himself had indicated ? Such acceptance
would make the matter very simple, and would secure a practically good frontier.
This argument was repeated again and again by His Majesty ; and, .although,
in reply, I urged physical advantages in the existing line, the great violation of
undoubted rights involved in the proposed modifications; that a tract which was
a mere drop of water to Persia was an ocean to Khelat; that if His Majesty could
only see with his own eyes what I had myself seen of the country in Beloochistan
he would not hesitate to confirm the line of present possession as a good one ; that
claims were made on behalf of Khelat to lands recently wrested from them by
Persia, westward of the present boundary; and other objections to the royal
proposal more or less in detail. Notwithstanding all counter arguments
addressed, the Shah maintained his ground. It was clear to me that His Majesty
was not going to abandon this position; and I took leave, expressing much regret
that my great desire of meeting the royal wishes had not been gratified.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs remained with the King on onr leaving the
audience chamber. Scarcely were we outside the door, when Captain Smith called
my attention to an alternative proposal put by the King, which had escaped my
perception. His Majesty, addressing his Minister, had said something of accepting
my line, provided Her Majesty’s Government would make a certain guarantee that
the arrangement solely affected the Khan of Khelat and his descendants, his power
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