'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎217] (252/714)

POLITICS AND COMMERCE OE KHORASAN
217
only fertile spots are a series of detached oases at the base of a
mountain range. On the other side of that mountain range for a
distance of 300 miles extends a country which, in the
to Trans- plains and hollows that separate its manifold ridges, con-
easpm ceg j g an a ] 3un( j aiice 0 f wealth, in fruit, in minerals, in pro
duce of every kind, above all in grain. She is like a man camping
in a desolate and stony field divided only by a thick hedge from
a spacious pasture, where he sees food for himself, fodder for
his beasts, comfort and repose for both. What a temptation to
break through the hedge and poach on the hidden preserves!
Such are the feelings with which the Russians regard Khorasan.
They would fain move from Akhal Tekke to Kuchan, from Ashka-
bad to Meshed. Here they would find supplies that might feed
mighty armies, mountain fastnesses invulnerable to attack, a docile
population, a resting-ground where new plans of action could be
formed, and a base whence they could be set in motion in the
future.
It is the latter context—viz., with a view to future political
contingencies—that Khorasan acquires a further and definite value
A pied-d- in Russian eyes. At present Russian is separated from
against Afghan territory in Central Asia by Sir West Ridge way's
India frontier—an artificial line drawn for a distance of 350
miles from the Heri Rud to the Oxus. This line could, no doubt,
at any moment be violated ; but no territorial acquisitions of im
mediate value would result, and the step could only be taken at
the risk, nay, with the certainty, of war with Great Britain. How
much simpler to slip round the corner and so to turn the enemy's
flank! From the Zulfikar Pass to the southern extremity of
Seistan, Persia is coterminous with Afghanistan ; and a Power
established upon the Persian side of that border would command
Herat (there is a carriage road of 230 miles from Meshed to Herat),
threaten the road by Farrah and Girishk to Kandahar, and be
brought to the very banks of the Helmund. Russia settled in
Khorasan, and especially in that fringe of border territory which I
have been at such pains to describe, has no need to infringe any
Anglo-Afghan boundary. The entire western frontier of Afghani
stan lies exposed to her influence or assault. Furthermore, in
Seistan she comes into close contact with a part of Beluchistan of
disputed ownership and unsettled tenure, and is separated by only
a short distance from the advanced British frontier in Pishin.