تقارير ومراسلات تتعلق ببلاد فارس، بما يشمل التجارة ومساراتها في بلاد فارس [ظ‎‎٩‎٥] (٢٥٢/١٩٠)

7. The post now travels through from Quetta to Seistan, a distance of 564
miles, in 15 days. From Quetta to Nushki there is a regular postal service
which takes two days. From Nushki to Robat-i-Malik Siah the post is carried
twice a week by the local levy sowars in 10 days, and from Robat to Nasratabad
by the Sistan Consulate sowars in another three days.
A through post line between Seistan and Mashad in connection with this
Quetta Post has also been established by Colonel Tr?nch, the Consul-General
at Mashhad, and we now have thus an alternative postal line to Mashad v hich
takes comparatively little longer that the post by the Amir’s d&k through Kan
dahar and Herat.
Should disturbances at any time break out in Afghanistan the Afghan dak
would be closed to us, and it is therefore of every importance to us to secure an
alternative postal line through Persia.
8. Mr. Vredenburg of the Geological Survey was deputed to examine the
mineral resources of the Nushki District last cold weather.
In the preceding winter Mr. Vredenburg found traces of iron, copper and
lead at various places in the Chagai District, but he gave it as his opinion that
the veins were small and poor, and that they would not pay to work. This last
season Mr. Vredenburg devoted his time to an inspection of the Chapar hills, a
small range near Dalbandin, and to the Raskoh, the main range dividing Kharan
from Chagai. No minerals were found in the Chapar hills and none in paying
quantities in the Raskoh. Traces of petroleum, however, were met with along the
southern border of the Raskoh or Kharan hills.
9 To take Captain Webb Ware’s report seriatim, I may briefly note as
follows :—
10. Paragraph 3. A list has been compiled of the frontier posts in Afghan
territory. These at present only extend as far w'est as Kani to the north of the
Chagai Hamun. As mentioned in paragraoh 51 of Captain Webb Ware’s report,
many caravans cut across from either Amir Chah, Amalaf or Saindak to Seistan,
following the direct road south of the Gaudi-i-Zarih, and when the Amir garrisons
the western part of his Chagai frontier some of these caravans will certainly be
caught. I noticed the danger of trouble on this account in 1895 when the frontier
was under settlement, and Sir Mortimer Durand telegraphed from Tehran at the
time, asking that in the case of any concession to the Amir at other places
opportunity might be taken to acquire the triangular corner up to Koh-i-Malik
Siah in exchange, and thus to prevent the Afghans getting astride the direct road
up the banks of the Shelah. From Amir Chah by this direct road up the Shelah
there is a saving of something like 70 miles, and consequently there wall
always be the temptation ever present in the minds of caravan leaders to take
the short cut to the south of the Gaud-i-Zarih instead of going round by Robat-i-
Malik Siah, and it is impossible for us to prevent them. Should any opportunity
arise of leasing this triangular corner from the Amir, I trust it may not be lost
sight of.
11. Paragraph 5. I am arranging for the provision of a special Trade
Moharir at Nushki.
No. 8500, dated 9 th October . 9 o,. 1 ?' Paragraph 6 has been referred to in
my letter forwarding the trade returns.
13. Paragraph 8. I am addressing Major Benn in Seistan on the subject,
and I will find out what would be the effect of sending him a consignment of
gold.
14. Paragraphs 11 and 12. The survey for a Quetta-Nushki Railway is now
in progress, and the Government of India have decided to await the result of this
Foreign Department No. 2466-?., dated 26th survey before considering further the pro-
September 1901. . posed tramway scheme or the construction
of a metalled road. Meanwhile during the coming winter I would suggest that the
Silladar Camel Corps now being raised at Quetta be employed in the carriage of