"ملخص لمراسلات، إلخ، تتعلق بشؤون آسيا الوسطى، بلوشستان، بلاد فارس، إلخ، ١٨٧٥-١٨٧٧. مع ملاحق." [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٠] (٥٦٢/٤٠٤)

Russia and Persia,’ but a doubt has now been raised as to whether the A°ree-
ment of 1869 had icfeience to that part of the river which empties itself into
the Caspian Sea, or to the river along its whole extent; and this again has led
to another question, as that is what are the real sources of the Attrek.
When the discussion on this latter point first arose in 1873, the Russian
Pages 5 and n. Asiatic Society re-issued their map of Central Asia
ol lobo, with the colouring altered, so as to show
the boundary between Prussia and Persia as extending for a distance of about
forty or fifty miles up the river Attrek, but not so far as Karee-Kala.
In 1871 the Russians claimed jurisdiction over the districts to the south of
the Attrek, and lying between that river and the Goorgaun ; but so recently as
November of that year the British Government informed the Russian Government
PaCTe 23 the territory lying between the Attrek and the
Goorgaun was unquestionably Persian territory.
In the same year the Russians came to a secret understanding among them-
Pacre 25 selves to consider all the territory lying between
Khiva and the Attrek as annexed to Russia, al
though they do not publicly avow.it; and they would now appear to be again
considering the question of obtaining a footing on the mainland, either at
Moolla Kala or at Khoja Nefes, or at both, their chief object being to force
from the Persians an admission that the Attrek forms the boundary between
Persia and Russia from its source (wherever that may be) to the Caspian Sea.
But as great doubts exist as to what is really the source of that river, Persia
might find herself deprived not only of some of her most fertile districts, but also
of her most important defensive positions, including Karee-Kala, which she
firmly maintains belongs to her, were she to consent to the Russian proposals ;
and from the latest accounts it appears that the Russians have evident designs
of occupying Karee-Kala.
But, notwithstanding these proceedings of Russia at Ashoorada, Kyzil-Soo,
Ghikishlar, Hajee-Bayat, Karee-Kala and else-
Confidentiai Memorandum, No. 2464 w j ierej s p e p as assured the British Government, so
recently as July 1873 and December 1874, that she considers the Agreement
entered into with the British Government in 1834, which was confirmed in
1838, to maintain the independence and integrity of Persia, to be still binding;
and the point, therefore, which has to be determined is, what is considered.by
this country, by Persia, and by Russia, as the north boundary of Persia ?
Until some arrangement is come to on this point, the discussion is likely to be
interminable.