'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎183] (218/714)

POLITICS A^sD COMMERCE OF KHORASAN
183
Kussian naval station at Aslmrada, the control of the road from the
sea to Shahrud, and the allegiance of the Yomut Turkomans
between the Gurgan and the Atrek.
A glance at the map will reveal the peculiar physical conforma
tion ot Astrabad Bay, and supplies another illustration of the
TheRus- that has already been described at Enzeli,
sians at where the prevalent westerly gales in the Caspian pile up
Asnurada i , i i? t , i , 1 1
long bais ot sand on tlie seaward side of shallow mtiTclcibs
oi lagoons. Astiabad Bay is a large sheet of water forty miles in
length by eight miles in width, protected from the open sea on the
north by just such a long promontory or spit of land, projecting for
thirty miles from the western coast line and terminating in three
small islands, the furthest of which is only separated by a narrow
channel from the eastern or Turkoman coast of the Caspian. The
bay, therefore, resembles a lake, with the additional advantage of
connection with the open sea; and although it has nowhere more
than twenty feet of water, and in most parts much less, yet on the
shoies of the Caspian, which possess so few harbours, it may claim
a quite peculiar distinction. In the hands of Persia it is doubtful,
judging from analogy, whether it would ever have been seriously
utilised for commercial or other purposes, Russia, however, took
very good care that not even the opportunity should be afforded to
her timid neighbour. Already by the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813,
confirmed by that of Turkomanchai in 1828, she had stipulated
that no armed vessel flying the Persian flag should be allowed upon
the Caspian; while to make assurance doubly sure, she herself
appeared in force upon the scene about the year 1840 and occupied
the island of Ashurada, lying off the extremity of the long
peninsula of Mian Kaleh, hereafter described. 1 The plea under
1 The dates are given as follows by Sir H. Rawlinson, Enyland and Russia in
the East, p. 137: —
1837-1838. Russians first set foot on Ashurada,
1842. Their presence first reported to the Foreign Office by Sir J. McNeill.
1846, Buildings erected on the island, and negotiation opened with the Turko
mans. Persia applies to England to aid in obtaining the withdrawal of
Russia.
1849. England makes the attempt, but without success.
1854. Persia demands officially evacuation by Russia, but receives the answer
that it is impossible, although Russia admits that Ashurada is Persian
territory.
1856. Russian position on the island strengthened, and naval force augmented.
1866. The Shah visits Ashurada and confirms the police powers of Russia against
the Turkomans.