‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎205v] (409/949)

4 . Proponed amevdmpnt of draft heard J.—The part marked by Foreign Secretary to be
omitted should certainly be struck out. With regard to the proposed addition in Foreign
Secretary's note, dated 16th October 1904,1 would venture to suggest that it would be better
not to mention cusecs at all, as the river which ordinarily carries 4,200 cusecs at Handar-i-
Kamal Khan may contain anything between that and nothing at all, since it is sometimes
dry. I would suggest that it would be preferable to fix proportions passing a certain line as
mentioned above.
5. Appointment of Arbitrator. —The appointment of a British canal officer will be
essential; his services could be made of great use if the two States were prepared to ask, and
act on, his advice regarding [canal improvements. It would be advisable, in course of time, to
have some canal rules drawn up and agreed to by the two States, which would admit of the
Arbitrator and local State officials disposing of a number of simple cases which will^ be liable
to occur, and which can easily be foreseen. This would strengthen the Arbitrator's hands.
1 fully understand that it may be undesirable to raise questions of this kind now.
Paragraph 3 of Award A.—It is very desirable that this condition should be made.
J. Benton, —31-10-04.
Foreign Department.
Dated Simla, the 1st November 1904.
p rom —J, Brnton, Esq., C I.E., Secretary and Inspector-General of Irrigation to the
Government of India in the Public Works Department,
To— L. W. Dane, Esq., C.S.I., Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign
Department.
I am sorry for delay in returning the two Seistan files sent herewith.
I have noted in both files, and most in the one which was not referred to me—and which
may be wrong; however, there are two questions—
(i) that relating to the present;
(ii) „ „ probable future;
and (i) should fit in, or be such as will fit in, with (ii), which I have dealt with in the file made
over to me at your office.
4
Extract from the diary of Colonel A. H. McMahon, C.S I., C.I.E., British Commissioner,
Seistan Arbitration Commission, for the period ending the 24th September 1904.
Regarding the demarction of his boundary line.
5
Despatch from Sir A. Hardinge, K.C.M G., C.B., His Britannic Majesty's Minister,
Tehran, to the Marquess of Lansdowne, No. 16S, dated the 8th September 1904.
(Received on the 17th October 1904, undercover of a letter from His Britannic Majesty's
Minister, Tehran, No 47, dated the 17th September 1904.)
States that he has communicated the consent of the Amir of Afghanistan to the demarcation of
the Seistan frontier to the Grand Vizier, who expressed his great satisfaction at the news.
For information. No orders.
J. W. E.,—25-10-04.
G. W. M.,—25-10-04.
E. H. S. Clarke, —25-10-04.
Telegram, No. 820, dated Robat, the 29th October 1904.
From— Colonel A. H. McMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E., British Commissioner for Seistan
Arbitration Commission, Seistan,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Simla.
Your demi-official telegram of 17th October. I could not reply sooner owing to absence
from main camp.
(1) Area in Persian Seistan capable of irrigation and cultivation from existing Persian
canal system after deducting ten per cent for village sites, roads, and unprofitable patches, &c.,