'Correspondence respecting the occupation of Merv by Russia and her proceedings on the Khorassan Frontier of Persia.' [‎118v] (18/26)

18
Turkomans of Mery. The objection raised by the
Russian Minister was met by the Persian Govern
ment with the assertion that all the Sarakhs lands,
whether on the right or the left bank of the river,
were unquestionably Persian territory, and that
the Turkomans who settled there from time to time
had done so with the permission of the Persian
authorities, to whom they paid tithes. The Persian
Government also affirmed that they had repeatedly
expelled the Turkomans from the Sarakhs lands
when they had reason to be dissatisfied with their
presence there.
Mr Thomson added:—
“ A reference to the following despatches from this Legation,
No. 18G, of the 28th November 1877, No. 90, of the 17th April
1880, and No. 178, of the 8th August 1880, will show that the
statements made by the Persian Government in this matter are
borne out by the fact that, when the Merv Chiefs were negotiating
for the submission of their tribe to Persia, one of the conditions
thet they proposed was that they should be allowed to occupy the
district of Sarakhs, old Sarakhs being specially mentioned, and
that the Persian Government would not agree to the proposal,
the late Hissam-es-Sultaneh, who was consulted in this matter,
having considered it inadvisable that they should be allowed to
do so.
“ The Russian Minister has been informed that the Persian
Government consider their right to the whole of the Sarakhs
territory indisputable, and they will therefore continue to allow
their subjects to occupy and cultivate the lands on the right bank
of the Tejend which form part of the Sarakhs district. Communi
cations between the Persian Government and the Russian Legation
on this subject have, however, now been suspended, probably
pending a reference to St. Petersburgh.
“ Persian remonstrances, even if followed by a protest which I
understand the Shah is at present not disinclined to make, are not
likely to have much weight with the Russian Government in
determining their action with regard to Sarakhs, but it is possible
that the feeling of dissatisfaction which has been produced here by
these proceedings may leave an unfavourable impression on the
Shah’s mind which will not readily be effaced.”
On the 18th June, Mr. Thomson reported the
receipt of intelligence from Meshed that 300
Russian horse had taken possession of Hissari-
Khoushid on the old Sarakhs side of the river,
having ejected the Persian guards from the place.* * Asia ; Sect. 257. The place is called
ihe Russian force was accompanied by Major “Kaleh Khoushid” in the' detailed re-
Alikhanoff, the Governor of Merv. Upon news of P orts -—A. W. M.
his arrival, the Governor of Sarakhs sent out a
small body or matchlock men to ask what was his
intention. He, in reply, asked what the Persians
wanted, and, on being told that they had come
to garrison Kaleh Khoushid, informed them that
they had nothing to do with the rifjht bank of
T" KV I J L) ,1 1 J 1 J a V— '
the Heri-Rud, and that no garrison was wanted.L + »
On the 21st June, Mr. Thomson telegraphed with 1884.
t Meshed Agent’s Report, 21st June
reference to this matter:
Russian troops, has addressed further remons^e to Zsial