'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎108v] (221/386)

assent Moreover, in a matter sucli as water, the verba! arguments of either side
availed nothin-'. The existing conditions of the river itself, its history and natural
tendencies, its'volume throughout the year, and the nature and extent of the
lands which on either side depend on this volume were the only reliable data on
which an accurate decision could be arrived at, and on which, subject in the pre
sent case to conformity with the Uoldsmid award, a fair award could he based.
These data as above stated had been carefully collected aud conclusions had been
drawn from them.
60 It was however, necessary to give both sides an opportunity of fully
statement of Persian case by the Per- representing their respective cases in order
sian commissioner. to prevent the omission to do so being
ur^ed subsequently as an objection to the award. The Persian Commissioner
stated his case in a letter, dated the 9th of January 1905, in which he claimed that
( 1 ) neither side should be allowed to build bands between Kohak and the band
across the Uud-i-Parian at Shabgul, and that the latter band should he built by
both sides conjointly ; (‘I) that no bands should be allowed between Hudbar and
Kohak As canals in SePtan at certain conditions of the river, depended on bands
for their supply, compliance with (2) would deprive Afghanistan of all means
of irrigating Afghan Seistan. This was clearly explained to the Persian Com
missioner in a long verbal discussion held between him and Colonel McMahon
on 2ith February 1905, and it was also pointed out to him how compliance with
his claim at (1) might some day hereafter tie the hands of Persia in a very
inconvenient manner. This discussion resulted in an admission by the Persian
Commissioner that what Persia wanted was an award which would guarantee to
Persia her requisite supply of water by preventing Afghanistan from diverting
the river above Kohak into some other course.
61. The Afghan Commissioner, on his part, was disinclined to be associated
in any way personally with the water
statement of Afghan case. question, and had nothing to add to the
views on that subject expressed to him by His Highness the Amir at the end
of a letter, dated October 15th, 1904, which were thus worded : —
44 With regard to the distribution of water you will exercise care (/) the
existing band which they {the Persians) now possess is not advanced one yard
into Afghan territory and that {2) the quantity ichich is requisite for your side
shall not go to the other side. If anything contrary to fixed custom or propor
tion occurs you will at once report to meP
62. There was nothing in either the Persian or Afghan statements of their
respective cases to necessitate any change in the conclusions already drawn.
63. Meanwhile on the 27th February 1905, Lord Curzon telegraphed to the
Secretary of State asking for an early decision regarding a settlement of the
Mirjawa boundary question on certain proposed lines, pointing out that Colonel
McMahon was postponing the delivery of his award pending settlement of that
question. As to this Sir A. Hardinge stated on the 1st March that he saw no
reason for delaying the award as he could arrange quite well for the recog
nition of Colonel McMahon’s continued functions as Commissioner until the
Mirjawa boundary was settled. Consequently on 2nd March 1905 at the
instance of His Majesty’s Minister the Government of India again authorised
Colonel McMahon to deliver the award whenever he considered it advisable.
Put he still delayed doing so as he was desirous of first obtaining important
observations of the Helmand river and of the irrigation and cultivation
systems dependent thereon, up to the end of yet another spring crop sowing
season, i.e., up to the spring equinox, 21st March. It was essential for the
purpose of his enquiry to make observations on the river during the critical
time of the year when the river was low and when water was wanted for the
sowing of the spring crops, which period inSoistia extends from the 21 st
September to the 21st March. 64
64. Having in due course obtained all the information required, Colonel
McMahon made a careful review of his past calculations, figures and conclusions
on which the proposed award had been based. The results obtained confirmed pre
vious conc’usions and proved that no modifications were necessary. Such being