'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎20v] (45/131)

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Her recent move at Tehran offering to place officers and non-commissioned
officers at the disposal of the Shah-in-Shah to reorganise and du 1 the Persian
Army is but the thin end of the wedge.
If such a proposal he accepted, we may safely predict the establishment of
Russian officers and men along the frontier in the important commercial entre
pots, such as Turhat-i-Haidari, Khaf, Birjand, and Seistan, doubtless occupying
he recently built Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Nasratabad, and those about to be constructed
in Birjand, etc., under the disguise of Military Instructors to the Persian
troops, .
It was odd and somewhat disappointing after a liberal distribution of
Toshakhana and in the face of the orders of the Hashmat-ul-M ulk Governor of
Tabas and Seistan, that the Seistan officials should have so resented our presence
as to issue orders and plot to try and force me to _ withdraw from the country.
This I attribute to the under-current of Russian intrigue.
There is no doubt the Moscovite is assiduously prepaiing her path for a
future occupation of Khorasan, and time will show whether her so-called “ posts
of observation are a fallacious or appropriate nomenclature. Theie is dangei
pending in this quarter of Persia.
I am afraid I am not competent to offer comment or criticism beyond a
certain point—upon the many recommendations regarding the policy it is pro-
posed to adopt with regard to Seistan.
I do not hold with the political dementia—for it cannot be considered any
thing else—which underlies the suggestions made by some, viz .—
(1) Advance, annex or lease the country.
(2) Install at once a British Agent in Seistan.
I will briefly state why—as to the first—military opinion is against employing
a force at a point so distant from our base; further it must be a natural surmise
that Russian advance on India will not be through Southern Khorasan and
Seistan (it might be used as an alternative route or base*), but by a more north
ern one via Herat and Kandahar.
As to the second, the question of such an appointment must not be lost
sight of; an agent there to protect our trade interest and cheeky Russian intrigue
unciuestionably would be worth having, yet I do not think just now such an
extreme measure would serve any useful purpose and might excite our northern
rival to greater activitv.
Prudence suggests that we should count the cost of the consequences
before embarking on any such scheme which might in all probability lead on
to supporting the British Agent by a force.
To safeguard our interests in Seistan, and pursue the line of policy I have
begun, it remains for me but to repeat the suggestions previously made in my
letter bearing date the 20th November 1897, on return from Seistan, viz ,—
A well-educated, crafty, diplomatic native accompanied by an Assistant
Apothecary should be sent to replace me in Seistan ; such a combination will
suffice to counteract the present Russian influence firmly established there in
the person of the news- writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. and his agents.
The former will keep us posted in all matters, assist traders, and enhance
British prestige amongst the Mullas, Sardars, and people of the country.
The Apothecary will be a companion to the Native Political Assistant, will
have great weight, and do much good in a country where 50 per cent, of the
inhabitants die from want of medical treatment.
An officer might be deputed to move along the frontier from Seistan to
Meshed or vice versa next autumn and visit Birjand, Khaf, Tabas, Turbat-
i-Haidari, etc., and watch proceedings.
We must recognise the paramount necessity of checking without loss of
time Russian activity in Khorasan, particularly with a view to prevent her
getting a foothold in any spot between Meshed and Seistan ; copious sources of
* Vide. A journey from Quetta to Trebizond (by Colonel M. S. Bell, V.C., A.-D.-C,), page XI of Preface.—B..CX