Settlement of the Opposing Claims of Persia and Afghanistan to Seistan [‎434v] (16/54)

trators in the matter of the sovereignty, and boundaries of Seistan in order that
nothing may occur to disturb tranquility on the frontiers of Persia and Afghanistan,
provided that Earl Bussell’s despatch remains m full force.
(True Translation.)
T? TTTOMSfW
In Mr Thomson’s opinion this declaration on the part of the Persian
Government had at least the same force cc as if
No - 42 * they had simply accepted the proposal to submit
the question of the sovereignty of Seistan to the arbitration of the British Govern
ment under the 6th Article of the treaty of Paris, for, according to that Article, in
case of differences arising between the Governments of Persia and Afghanistan,
when they have been referred for adjustment to the friendly offices of the British
Government, the Persian Government is at liberty to take up arms, should those
friendly offices fail of effect.”
Mr. Thomson goes on to say that at his interview with Mirza Saeed Khan,
His Excellencv suggested that, instead of arbitrating concerning the sovereignty of
Seistan, Her Majesty’s Government might simply lay down the boundary line
between that Province and Afghanistan, and in so doing give a portion of Seistan to
Afghanistan without impugning the title of Persia to that Province. Mirza Saeed
Khan, however, added a statement to the effect tnat he had no authority from the
Shah for making this communication, and begged that it might not be considered
in the light of a formal proposal.
In a letter from the Persian Minister in London to Lord Clarendon, the
Enclosure 1 ia Lord Clarendon, No. 26 of following passage, which clearly expresses the
27th April i87o. views of the Persian Government as to their
Earl Russell, to Persian Minister, 5th No- title to Seistan (founded on Earl Bussell’s above-
vember 1863. mentioned despatch) occurs:
‘ £ D’apres la lettre envoye& par Lord Bussell le Gouvernement de S. M. la
Beine declare vouloir rester neutre et laisser la question de Seistan se decider par
la force des armes. Les armes ont decide en notre favew et depins 5 ans. le
Seistan fait partie integrale de notre province de Khora 9 an. Par consequent il ne
saurait relever de Fart. 6 de notre Traite de Paris.”
Shortly after receiving this despatch, a telegram from Lord Clarendon told
Telegram from Earl Clarendon, 5th May Mr. Thomson “that Lord Ma}^0 had been in-
1870 ' formed that the Persian Government are willing
to submit the question of Seistan sovereignty and boundary to British arbitration
and instructed to ascertain if Ameer of Cabul will agree to this.”
On the 18th of June Mr. Alison was enabled to inform Her Majesty’s
Mr. Alison, to Earl ciarenden, No. 16 of Government and the Government of India that
isth June, and No. 20 of 22 nd idem i87o. what Persia really meant “ about Seistan is, that
they will not submit to arbitration the half of it which they possess, but they
will submit the half which they do not possess, but claim.”
In reply to a telegram from the Viceroy, Mr. Alison informed His Excellency
From Viceroy (telegram) 20 th June is7o. and the Foreign Office that “Persian Govern-
Endo S u A riiTand°2. 28 ° f 18th July 1870 - ™ent claims Seistan territory up to the
. Helmund Biver including Tehkooleh ; the
o ier la comprises all territory on the other bank, including Chahnesoor, Nad Ali,
and the territory under Ibrahim Khan Belooch”
I he Persian Government at the same time announced their intention
Enclosure No. 3 in No. 28 . °f appointing an engineer officer to draw out a
map of their Seristan frontier.
In ieply to a telegram from Lord Clarendon, stating that General Goldsmid would
Lord Clarendon, No. 47 of 6th July i87o. ac ^ on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, and
ji • 7 . would “ be instructed to make everv exertion to
me ie lights and reconcile the claims of the Persian and Afghan Governments