تسوية الحدود الفارسية-البلوشستانية [ظ‎‎٥‎٩‎١] (٤٠/٢٠)

he accepted as far as Kobuk. This District he included as Persian property.
His Majesty had marked on the map with a red pencil what he now considered
to be the proper frontier.
Mr. Alison remarked that of course there was no harm in His Majesty hay-
ing expressed his opinion, hut that the line marked by General Goldsmid
showed the actual state of possession ; that any deviation from it would involve
a spoliation of property, and that the object of Her Majesty’s Government was
to see that no such injury was done. With regard to Gwadur, Mr. Alison ex
plained that it was at the time distinctly understood that the Telegraph Conven
tion was not to affect territorial rights; and General Goldsmid added that a
certain sum was paid yearly to the Persian Government to treat with Chiefs
for such parts of the coast as might he found under the sovereignty of Persia;
that Gwadur was merely mentioned as a connecting point.
The Minister then endeavoured to impress the fact that the Shah had made
a most unexpected concession by contenting himself with the frontier line he
had marked down, and said that endless discussions and references would he
avoided if His Majesty’s opinion were accepted.
Mr. Alison repeated the objection he previously made, and suggested that
the two Commissioners should discuss the rights and claims on either side. It
was for them to decide where the true frontier lay.
Mirza Maasum Khan pleaded the absence of his engineer officer and of
his own map. . In the course of discussion he incidentally admitted that
General Goldsmid’s line was that of actual possession, but afterwards withdrew
the assertion.
It was finally decided that a reference should be made to the Shah, and
that directly His Majesty’s consent was given, the Commissioners should enter
upon a full discussion of the question.
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