'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎22v] (49/131)

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■r„ . M on,! excliansed opinions on the probable advance of plague. Politics*,
We have pa.d visnts ^ 0 F n mol . e than one occasion been very careful to tell*
me'h'does'not'seekto question me for that purpose, but for his own information when matters
outside our professional jurisdiction crop up. , ,
That intrigue is rampant there can be no question ; even the very walls have ears and you
dale The Russian^Medical Officer now awaits further orders from Meshed and I hear from a
reliaJe and secret source that he is v^'^^r 10 °r send some of h,s men to
Robat to see if arrangements are satisfactoiy f f '
This of course I will prevent, and must act m the matter without any orders to the
contrary/and, if he’ persists, it will be under protest.
My arrangements between here and Robat are complete, as I have only my own sowars
on the line and trust no one. . r» w 4 . m i- -n
If the line is open and secure beyond question from Robat to Quetta, it would be well and
if not, no time should be lost in placing reliable men-sowars or such like-along the hue.
Two emissaries from here have gone on vid Robat to Quetta particulars of which have been
given in extenso to the Agent to the Governor-General, Quetta.
It is verv important that we should guard our frontier posts at Robat and Amirchah as
iealously as do the Russians now between Ashkabad and Kuchan, and a strong crafty native
trained in Baluchistan Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. work should be posted there.
It seems very desirable to me to make arrangements to place another man in here and to
auietlv have a residence built now for such an one while I am here and can arrange for the
same, so that if we leave the country later on, there can be a man here in a similar position to
Russian Agent to represent British interests.
Should such a proposal be entertained, please let me know early as it will be necessary to
seek some protection for men and horses in a very short time as it is now hot.
Aly northern communication with Colonel Yate is dangerous, and I dare not trust com
munications. Russian troops are reported to be on the Afghan frontier north near Turbat-i-
Sheikh Jam and at Arigh and Birjand.
The Russian Medical Officer states it has been reported that plague has got into Kabul
and Kandahar. He also informed me that a Russian officer has been posted to Kerman, Shiraz,
and Bandar Abbas, as also Bombay, all of which of course is new to me, as I have had no
communication since I left Quetta.
The Amir is reported to be ill, and Russian activity may possibly have fermented in con"
sequence, fearing any trouble in succession to the throne in case of his death,
Russian influence at Tehran seems now to have a strong foothold under new Shah.
Russian Medical Officer is now collecting camels and preparing to make round of Seistan
under charge of the two men noted, and states he has orders to place cordons wherever he
thinks desirable.
Our spheres of influence ought to be distinctly marked out, I purpose claiming all right
of protecting line from Robat, right up to here, i.e, } southern line bordering on our frontier,
and so, if possible, prevent his crossing intervening toe of land between Hurmak and Sehkoh.
It is also reported that Ali Akbar Khan will lose, or has lost, the Governorship of Seistan
consequent on the murder of Darwesh Khan, and his brother the Governor of Birjand, who is
a Russophobe, is working against him, hence the summoning of sowars from here to Tabas.
If this be so, trouble is apprehended and Sayed Khan (brother of Sartip's mother) has
claimed our protection.
He was not permitted to visit me, but did so secretly and expressed a hope that, as we
were his nearest neighbour next to Afghanistan, we would protect his rights.
One of . the Russian Medical Officer’s men the other day when left alone for a few
moments, seized the opportunity of asking one of my guides whom he knew when here with
Lieutenant Webb-Ware, if Ido 33 had succeeded in getting water in the well he was digging
near Amirchah. This will go to show the interest being taken in our frontier.
We have one great advantage in being in a position to treat all sick who come from far
and near on camels, horses, donkeys, etc., whereas the Russian Medical Officer has no medicines
or appliances, and sends them to me saying he did not come here prepared to treat sick.
Moining and evening the camp is surrounded with sick, and while he dispenses money
and i eceives visitors all night and compiles revenue and other statistics, we have the same
parties here under treatment giving full particulars of what is taking place.
As stated in my previous report on Eastern Persia, medicine and treatment of their sick
appeal more than anything that could be done with the people of the country.
The Russian Medical Officer has visited the head Mulla here also, and this is a practice
adopted up north; l am in possession of his representations in that quarter to the effect that
e Russians are inclined to bring troops here and make quarters here in opposition to the
British Government occupation of Robat.