‘Confidential. Persia’ [‎515v] (80/112)

“Thus when, in February 1888, Sir R. Morier
was instructed to call the attention of the Russian
Government to the anxiety of the Persian Gov
ernment for an early and equitable settlement of
the Russo-Persian frontier of Khorasan, M. de
Giers replied by a telegram which was communi
cated to Lord Salisbury by M. de Staal on the 8th
March following, and which contained the follow
ing statements
u With regard to the general tendency of Russian
policy, M. de Giers stated that the Russian Gov
ernment continued to attach the greatest value to
the integrity of Persia.
#«**#*
“As to the delimitation of the frontier between
Khorasan and the territory under Russian control,
the Russian Government considered that this was
a matter for Russia and Persia alone and could not
recognise the right of interposition on the part of
any other power. But they had every intention
of treating Persia equitably in the settlement of
this question/’
‘ ‘ It seems to His Majesty’s Government that
they are entitled to maintain, with regard to
frontier questions concerning Persia and Afghan
istan, an attitude corresponding to that assumed by
the Russian Government in regard to the Russo-
Persian frontier.”
8 . On 4th March 1903 the Marquis of
Lansdowne told the Persian Minister that
His Majesty’s Government altogether
refused to admit that the Russian Govern
ment had any concern in the arbitration,
and trusted that His Excellency would
impress upon the Persian Government the
serious view which they took of the case
(Marquis of Lansdowne to Sir A. Hardinge,
Ho. 31, dated 4 th March 1903).
9. In November 1903 the Russian Gov
ernment showed a desire to remove all
sources of misunderstanding between
Russia and Great Britain, and Count
Benckendorff was instructed to discuss
frankly with Lord Lansdowne the various
questions outstanding between the t\v o
countries, with the object of arriving at
an agreement as to the manner in which
they should be dealt with. A ^conversa
tion accordingly took place on 25th Nov
ember 1903 in which Lord Lansdow no, on
this particular point, said that we should
expect the Russian Government to abstain
from interfering with trade routes leading
through Seistan and to recognize the Prov
ince as entirely under British influence.
The discussion was resumed on 3rd
December, when Count Benckendorlf
“ said a few words on the subject of Persia,
and particularly as to Seistan, which I
again said would clearly fall within the
British sphere. In reply to a question
from His Excellency, X said that I ima
gined that there would he no difficulty jn
determining the limits of the Province.
10. Lord Lansdowne’s Despatch^ of 9th
July 1901 had intimated to the Persian
Government that any intention on their
part to punish the Hashmat-ul-Mulk on
account of his friendly attitude to Great
Secret F., June 1903, No». 1—199, Proceeding
No. 176.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Spring-Bice,
No. 307, dated 7 th November 1903.
(Diary No. 756 Afgb.)
Telegram fiom Secretary of State for India, dated
3rd December 1903 (confidential).
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Spring-Rice,
No. 346, dated 3rd December 1903.
(Diary No 973-Pe’» : • )
Position of the Hashmat-ul-
Mulk.
* Page 62 above.