'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎221] (256/714)

POLITICS AND COMMERCE OF KHOEASAN
221
When I credit the Eussians with an influence so remarkable,
I am not for a moment conceding to them a monopoly of such an
Feeling aclvan tage. Were the British in a position to exercise
EiTTatd t ^ e Same P ressiire or ultimately to take the same steps,
g I believe that they would be received with an acclaim
out of all piopoition greater than that which might await their
opponents, the Russians are in the habit of conducting matters
in a somewhat high-handed and dictatorial manner in Persia ; and,
while such an attitude may inspire alarm and even create respect
it makes no appeal to affection. On the other hand, the franker and
more honourable methods of the English have won for that Power
a consideration which, in the absence of positive evidences of
strength, such as numerous troops and adjacent dominions, is
highly meritorious. The Timuri tribes, of whom I spoke, along
the eastern border of Khorasan, are known to be extremely friendlv
to the English; and the nearer we approach to Beluchistan and
the Indian frontier, the more does the popularity arising from just
and tolerant administration prevail. The Persians are beginning
to see perfectly well that the English do not desire a rood of their
soil, and that the Russians are bent upon forcible appropriation.
But the Russians are near and formidable, and the English are far
away and make no visible display of strength. While, therefore,
British influence is welcome and meets with encouragement, there
is no spirit or party capable of engendering a successful resistance
to Russian designs. The Khorasanis, like their fellow-men all the
world over, are not above making friends with the mammon of
unrighteousness.
S upplementary R outes in E. K horasan.
Meshed to Tuebat-i-Haideri. H. W. Bellew (1872), From the Indus to the
Tigris, pp. 351-7 ; Col. Euan-Smith (1872), Eastern Persia, pp. 353-6.
T urbat -i-Haideki to Bajistan. h. w. Bellew (1872), lUd. pp. 340-9;
Col. Euan-Smith (1872), lUd. pp. 349-53.
Bajistan to Kain. H. W. Bellew (1872), lUd. pp. 325-39; Col. E. Smith
(1872), Ibid. pp. 343-9.
Kain to Biejand. H. W. Bellew (1872), Hid. pp. 309-25; Col. E. Smith
(1872), Hid. pp. 337-42.
Fareah (Afghanistan) to Nishapue {via Birjand, Tun, and Bajistan).
J. P. Ferrier (1845), Caravan Journeys, pp. 437-8
Faeeah (Afghanistan) to Semnan {via Khur and Tabbas). J. p. Ferrier
(1845), Ibid. pp. 439-40.
Tabbas to Biejand {via Tun and Kain). (Sir) C. MacGregor (1875), Journey
through Khorasan, vol. i. pp. 137-66.