'Volume I. MEMORANDA REGARDING PERSIA AND NORTH-WEST TRANS-FRONTIER. 1905.' [‎88r] (180/310)

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withdraw their permanent Mission from
Gumbad-i-Kabnz. The Mushir-ed-Dowlah has
now informed Sir Arthur Hardinge that the
Russians have given a definite pledge, both at
Tehran and at St. Petersburgh, to withdraw
their Mission from Gumbad-i-Kabuz, and to
substitute special meetings at intervals between
Russian and Persian Missions on the frontier,
similar to those held annually between the
Makran and Bampur authorities.
In reply to His Excellency the Viceroy’s
letter of the 25th of April (see last Journal),
the Amir writes on the 6 th of May cordially
accepting Colonel McMahon’s Seistan water
award, with the single exception of the 5th
Article of the award, which deals with the
appointment of a British irrigation officer for
the purpose of settling cases of doubt or dis
pute w r hich may arise. Regarding this Article
His Highness asks for further explanation.
This has been afforded by His Excellency the
Viceroy in a letter, dated the 18th of May,
and His Highness’s reply is awaited.
Colonel McMahon and staff entered
Nasratabad on a formal farewell visit on the
29th April. Elaborate preparations were
made by the Persian officials for the occasion,
and the istikbal (reception) accorded to the
party was on a grand scale, and is said to ha\e
beaten all previous records in Seistan. The
whole of the functions, which lasted several
days, were a great success.
Russian popularity in Seistan has fallen
considerably lately owing to the conduct of the
Russian Consul in unjustly treating employes
of the Consulate. The Russian Consul is said
to have alienated the sympathies of the entire
official class, including the Yamm-i-Mzam
and the Mustansir-ul-Mulk.
The British Consul-General at Meshed has
reported that the Amin-i-Zarb of Tehran and
the Reis-i-Tajjar of Meshed have ^nght mos
of the Crown property of Seistan for 250,000
tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. and that they are negotiating with the
“an Bank for a loan of 150 000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value.
and will probably give the deeds of sale of the
lands as security. If this report is true, it will
practically mean that the lands pass under
Russian control, and a strong protest would be
necessary, considering the numerous assurances
eiven by the Persian Government that theie
will be no alienation of Seistan lands o
foreigners. Sir A. Hardinge, however, has
been°assured by the Mushir-ed-Dowlah that
the report is unfounded.
A first class Customs bureau is about to be
ootablished by the Persian Government at
Koh-i-Malik Siah. This will be a convenience
to° British Indian traders. His Britannic
Maiesty’s Minister at Tehran has obtained
assurances from the Persian Customs author
ities that facilities for changing money and