'Volume I. MEMORANDA REGARDING PERSIA AND NORTH-WEST TRANS-FRONTIER. 1905.' [‎87v] (179/310)

It is reported that the Eussian Bank are
starting a branch at Sabzawar, and are sendin
there a Bank Agent and a telegraphist. Fiv
new employes for the Russian Bank have
arrived at Meshed, which suggests the inten
tion to establish other branches. The
“Trans-Caspian Review” of the 20 th April
(7th April, old style) contains a statement
that M. Kamenitzky of the Russian Ministry
of Finance has been appointed to the charge
of the Seistan branch of the Persian Loan and
Discount Bank with extensive powers. This is
likely to have the effect of strengthening the
influence of Russian Consuls and Agents in
Eastern Persia.
SEISTAN.
Sir A. Hardinge has effected a settlement
with the Persian Government regarding the
Perso-Baluch Boundary south of Koh-i-Malik
Siah and the export of grain, pending which
Colonel McMahon’s Mission was being de
tained in Seistan. The agreement which he
has signed with the Mushir-ed-Dowlah stipu
lates—
( 1 ) the withdrawal of our claim to
Mirjawa and our right to obtain water from
tanks or wells at Mirjawa or its vicinity ;
( 2 ) the abandonment by both Govern
ments of the proposed re-examination of the
boundary line in that region, which is declared
to be definitely settled, and respecting which
no further claim will be made;
(3) permission to the people of Duzdab,
Ladis, and Mirjawa to sell supplies to our
frontier outposts up to 700 Tabriz kharwars of
grain a year, and the unrestricted annual
export from Seistan of 1,500 Tabriz kharwars
of grain and 50 of ghee for the Robat post and
the Nushki road, that is to say, 2,200 kharwars
ot grain m all. The exports are to be liable to
the Customs duties levied on those of the most
favoured-nation. The arrangement applies to
all normal years, but will not be complied with
from any locality which can be showm to be
actually suffering from famine due to destruc
tion of crops by locusts, blight, or other excep
tional visitations. r
Having practically settled the out-
standnig questions concerninsr Seistan, Colonel
McMahon’s Mission started back for India on
the 15th of May. They are travelling by the
Serstan-Robat-Nushki trade route, though the
Afghan Commissioner was perfectly willing
that they should have marched by the HeL
mand, if this would have suited them better.
The negotiations leading up to this settle-
ment appear to have been delayed at Tehran
by the Muslur-ed- Dowlah having represented
to the Russians that there was no chance of
Co one McMahcn’s Mission leaving'San
until the Russians pledged themselves to
CD CXQ