"مجلد I مذكرات بخصوص بلاد فارس والمنطقة الحدودية الشمالية الغربية. ١٩٠٥." [ظ‎‎٩‎٦] (٣١٠/١٩٧)

Andijan—1 battalion infantry and 12
guns.
Namangaon—150 infantry and 8 guns.
Khargas (on the road between Yarkat
and Kuldja)—300 men.
Kirghiz Sai outpost—200 men.
Bara Kucbar—100 men.
Yarkat—400 men.
Kuldja (Consular guard)—60 men.
Yernoi—1,000 men.
It is stated that Afghan emissaries sent
*>y the Amir have been visiting Panjdeh,
Sheikh J unaid, &c., inviting Afghan subjects
to return to Herat.
The Armenians all over Turkestan are
storing arms. About 20 per cent of the
Russian troops of the Turkestan Army are
Armenians, and these men are most active in
stealing Government rifles and ammunition
for their compatriots; and it seems likely
that the Armenians will give the Russians
trouble if they get the chance.
The Tashkand-Orenburgh railway is in an
unsatisfactory state, the rails being so badly
laid that trains are much shaken and in
danger of being derailed. Floods have also
damaged the line in several places. Work on
the branch line to Termez on the Oxus has
been temporarily suspended.
KHORASAN.
Meshed .—The new Russian employes for
the Russian Rank, referred to in the last
Journal, are to replace the Native Agents at
Sabzawar, Turbat-i-Haidari, and Birjand.
With reference to the entry in last Journal
regarding Russian telegraph signallers being
allowed full access to the line between Meshed
and Nasratabad, the Government of India
have proposed the deputation of two more
English signallers for employment on the line
as a counter-move. The Government of India
would prefer compensation elsewhere, such as
the extension of the telegraph line from Robat
to Nasratabad, and would in return at any
time withdraw signallers on the northern
section. Sir A. Hardinge has already pressed
for the extension, and the Mushir-ed-Dowleh
has verbally admitted that the demand is
reasonable.
The British Consul-General reports that
the Russian Consular guard at Meshed has
been strengthened by 20 men, and that 200
more men would most likely be sent if excep
tion .is not taken to the move. Sir A.
Hardinge explains that the 20 men were sent
to Meshed to bring the Russian Consular
escort up to the strength of the escort of the