“It would be better if peace be made between the Tirah

people, Afridis and Orakzais, and the British Government.

But if not, and fight ensues, and these tribesmen should

flee and come to the district of Ningrahar, your Excellency

may rest assured that they will not be able any more

to attack or interfere with your Excellency’s country;

and until they have consented to become subjects of the

illustrious British Government, I will never allow them to

make any interference with British territory. But if they

continue to remain in their own mountains, they will be

beyond my power and control. If they come to my country,

like Umra Khan, they will not behave improperly, and I will

not allow them to do so.

_Treaty signed at Kabul on March 21, 1905, between_ MR.

(_afterwards_ SIR) LOUIS DANE, C.S.I., _and_ HABIB ULLAH, AMIR

OF AFGHANISTAN.

(After compliments.)

His Majesty Siraj-ul-millat-wa-ud-din Amir Habib Ulla

Khan, Independent King of the State of Afghanistan and

its dependencies, on the one part, and the Honourable Mr.

Louis William Dane, C.S.I., Foreign Secretary of the Mighty

Government of India and Representative of the Exalted

British Government, on the other part.

His said Majesty does hereby agree to this, that in the

principles and in the matters of subsidiary importance of

the Treaty regarding internal and external affairs, and

of the engagements which his Highness, my late father,

that is, Kia-ul-millat-wa-ud-din, who has found mercy, may

God enlighten his tomb! concluded and acted upon with the

Exalted British Government, I also have acted, am acting,

and will act upon the same agreement and compact, and I

will not contravene them in any dealing or in any promise.

The said Honourable Mr. Louis William Dane does

hereby agree to this, that as to the very agreement

and engagement which the Exalted British Government

concluded and acted upon with the noble father of his

Majesty Siraj-ul-millat-wa-ud-din, that is, his Highness

Zia-ul-millat-wa-ud-din, who has found mercy, regarding

internal and external affairs and matters of principle or

of subsidiary importance, I confirm them and write that

they (the British Government) will not act contrary to

those agreements and engagements in any way or at any time.

Made on Tuesday, the fourteenth day of Muharram-ul-haram

of the year thirteen hundred and twenty-three Hijri,

corresponding to the twenty-first day of March of the year

nineteen hundred and five A.D.

AMIR HABIB ULLA.

LOUIS W. DANE.

_Circular Despatch addressed by_ PRINCE GORTCHAKOW _to Russian

Representatives abroad: dated November 21, 1864_.

ST. PETERSBURG,

_November 21, 1864_.

The Russian newspapers have given an account of the last

military operations executed by a detachment of our troops,

in the regions of Central Asia, with remarkable success and

important results. It was to be foreseen that these events

would the more attract the attention of the foreign public

that their scene was laid in scarcely known countries.

Our august Master has commanded me to state to you briefly,

but with clearness and precision, the position in which we

find ourselves in Central Asia, the interests which inspire

us in those countries, and the end which we have in view.

The position of Russia in Central Asia is that of all

civilised States which are brought into contact with

half-savage, nomad populations, possessing no fixed social

organisation.

In such cases it always happens that the more civilised

State is forced, in the interest of the security of its

frontier and its commercial relations, to exercise a

certain ascendency over those whom their turbulent and

unsettled character make most undesirable neighbours.

First, there are raids and acts of pillage to be put down.

To put a stop to them, the tribes on the frontier have to

be reduced to a state of more or less perfect submission.

This result once attained, these tribes take to more

peaceful habits, but are in their turn exposed to the

attacks of the more distant tribes.

The State is bound to defend them against these

depredations, and to punish those who commit them. Hence

the necessity of distant, costly, and periodically

recurring expeditions against an enemy whom his social

organisation makes it impossible to seize. If, the robbers

once punished, the expedition is withdrawn, the lesson is

soon forgotten; its withdrawal is put down to weakness. It

is a peculiarity of Asiatics to respect nothing but visible

and palpable force: the moral force of reason and of the

interests of civilisation has as yet no hold upon them.

The work has then always to be done over again from the

beginning.

In order to put a stop to this state of permanent disorder,

fortified posts are established in the midst of these

hostile tribes, and an influence is brought to bear upon

them which reduces them by degrees to a state of more

or less forced submission. But soon beyond this second

line other still more distant tribes come in their turn

to threaten the same dangers and necessitate the same

measures of repression. The State thus finds itself forced

to choose one of two alternatives, either to give up this

endless labour and to abandon its frontier to perpetual

disturbance, rendering all prosperity, all security, all

civilisation an impossibility, or, on the other hand, to

plunge deeper and deeper into barbarous countries, where

the difficulties and expenses increase with every step in

advance.

Such has been the fate of every country which has found

itself in a similar position. The United States in America,

France in Algeria, Holland in her colonies, England in

India--all have been irresistibly forced, less by ambition

than by imperious necessity, into this onward march, where

the greatest difficulty is to know when to stop.

Such, too, have been the reasons which have led the

Imperial Government to take up at first a position resting

on one side on the Syr Daria, on the other on the Lake

Issik-Kul, and to strengthen these two lines by advanced

forts, which, little by little, have crept on into

the heart of those distant regions, without, however,

succeeding in establishing on the other side of our

frontiers that tranquillity which is indispensable for

their security.

The explanation of this unsettled state of things is to

be found, first, in the fact that, between the extreme

points of this double line, there is an immense unoccupied

space, where all attempts at colonisation or caravan trade

are paralysed by the inroads of the robber-tribes; and,

in the second place, in the perpetual fluctuations of the

political condition of those countries, where Turkestan and

Khokand, sometimes united, sometimes at variance, always at

war, either with one another or with Bokhara, presented no

chance of settled relations or of any regular transactions

whatever.

The Imperial Government thus found itself, in spite of all

its efforts, in the dilemma we have above alluded to, that

is to say, compelled either to permit the continuance of

a state of permanent disorder, paralysing to all security

and progress, or to condemn itself to costly and distant

expeditions, leading to no practical result, and with the

work always to be done anew; or, lastly, to enter upon

the undefined path of conquest and annexation which has

given to England the empire of India, by attempting the

subjugation by armed force, one after another, of the small

independent states whose habits of pillage and turbulence

and whose perpetual revolts leave their neighbours neither

peace nor repose.

Neither of these alternative courses was in accordance with

the object of our august Master’s policy, which consists,

not in extending beyond all reasonable bounds the regions

under his sceptre, but in giving a solid basis to his rule,

in guaranteeing their security, and in developing their

social organisation, their commerce, their wellbeing, and

their civilisation.

Our task was, therefore, to discover a system adapted to

the attainment of this threefold object.

The following principles have, in consequence, been laid

down:

(1) It has been judged to be indispensable that our two

fortified frontier lines--one extending from China to

the lake Issik-Kul, the other from the Sea of Aral

along the Syr-Daria--should be united by fortified

points, so that all our posts should be in a position

of mutual support, leaving no gap through which the

nomad tribes might make with impunity their inroads

and depredations.

(2) It was essential that the line of our advanced forts

thus completed should be situated in a country fertile

enough, not only to insure their supplies, but also

to facilitate the regular colonisation, which alone

can prepare a future of stability and prosperity for

the occupied country, by gaining over the neighbouring

populations to civilised life.

(3) And lastly. It was urgent to lay down this line

definitely, so as to escape the danger of being

carried away, as is almost inevitable, by a series of

repressive measures and reprisals, into an unlimited

extension of territory.

To attain this end a system had to be established which

should depend not only on reason, which may be elastic, but

on geographical and political conditions, which are fixed

and permanent.

This system was suggested to us by a very simple fact, the

result of long experience, namely, that the nomad tribes,

which can neither be seized nor punished, nor effectually

kept in order, are our most inconvenient neighbours; while,

on the other hand, agricultural and commercial populations

attached to the soil, and possessing a more advanced social

organisation, offer us every chance of gaining neighbours

with whom there is a possibility of entering into relations.

Consequently, our frontier line ought to swallow up the

former and stop short at the limit of the latter.

These three principles supply a clear, natural, and logical

explanation of our last military operations in Central Asia.

In fact our original frontier line, extending along the

Syr-Daria to Fort Perovski on one side, and on the other to

the Lake Issik-Kul, had the drawback of being almost on the

verge of the desert. It was broken by a wide gap between the

two extreme points; it did not offer sufficient resources to

our troops, and left unsettled tribes over the border with

which any settled arrangement became impossible.

In spite of our unwillingness to extend our frontier, these

motives had been powerful enough to induce the Imperial

Government to establish this line between Lake Issik-Kul and

the Syr-Daria by fortifying the town of Chimkent, lately

occupied by us. By the adoption of this line we obtain a

double result. In the first place, the country it takes in

is fertile, well wooded, and watered by numerous

watercourses; it is partly inhabited by various Kirghiz

tribes, which have already accepted our rule; it

consequently offers favourable conditions for colonisation

and the supply of provisions to our garrisons. In the second

place, it puts us in the immediate neighbourhood of the

agricultural and commercial populations of Khokand. We find

ourselves in presence of a more solid and compact, less

unsettled, and better organised social state; fixing for us

with geographical precision the limit up to which we are

bound to advance, and at which we must halt; because, while,

on the one hand, any further extension of our rule, meeting,

as it would, no longer with unstable communities, such as

the nomad tribes, but with more regularly constituted

states, would entail considerable exertions, and would draw

us on from annexation to annexation with unforeseen

complications. On the other, with such states for our future

neighbours, their backward civilisation and the instability

of their political condition do not shut us out from the

hope that the day may come when regular relations may, to

the advantage of both parties, take the place of the

permanent troubles which have up to the present moment

paralysed all progress in those countries.

Such, Sir, are the interests which inspire the policy of our

august Master in Central Asia; such is the object, by his

Imperial Majesty’s orders, of the action of his Cabinet.

You are requested to take these arguments as your guide in

any explanations you may give to the Government to which you

are accredited, in case questions are asked or you may see

credence given to erroneous ideas as to our action in these

distant parts.

It is needless for me to lay stress upon the interest, which

Russia evidently has, not to increase her territory, and,

above all, to avoid raising complications on her frontiers

which can but delay and paralyse her domestic development.

The programme which I have just traced is in accordance with

these views.

Very frequently of late years the civilisation of these

countries, which are her neighbours on the continent of

Asia, has been assigned to Russia as her special mission.

No agent has been found more apt for the progress of

civilisation than commercial relations. Their development

requires everywhere order and stability; but in Asia it

demands a complete transformation of the habits of the

people. The first thing to be taught to the populations of

Asia is that they will gain more in favouring and protecting

the caravan trade than in robbing it. These elementary ideas

can only be accepted by the public where one exists; that is

to say, where there is some organised form of society and a

government to direct and represent it.

We are accomplishing the first part of our task in carrying

our frontier to the limit where the indispensable conditions

are to be found.

The second we shall accomplish in making every effort

henceforward to prove to our neighbouring states, by a

system of firmness in the repression of their misdeeds,

combined with moderation and justice in the use of our

strength, and respect for their independence, that Russia is

not their enemy, that she entertains towards them no ideas

of conquest, and that peaceful and commercial relations with

her are more profitable than disorder, pillage, reprisals,

and a permanent state of war.

The Imperial Cabinet, in assuming this task, takes as its

guide the interests of Russia. But it believes that, at the

same time, it is promoting the interests of humanity and

civilisation. It has a right to expect that the line of

conduct it pursues and the principles which guide it will

meet with a just and candid appreciation.

(Signed) GORTCHAKOW.

TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND BOKHARA (1873)

Concluded between GENERAL AIDE-DE-CAMP KAUFFMAN, GOVERNOR-GENERAL

OF TURKESTAN, and SEID MOZAFFUR, AMIR OF BOKHARA.

(1) The frontier between the dominions of his Imperial

Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias and his Highness the

Amir of Bokhara remains unchanged.

The Khivan territory on the right bank of the Amu Daria

having been incorporated in the Russian Empire, the former

frontier between Khiva and Bokhara, from the oasis of

Khelata to Gugertli, is abolished. The territory between

the former Bokharo-Khivan frontier on the right bank of the

Amu Daria from Gugertli to Meschekli, and from Meschekli to

the point of junction of the former Bokharo-Khivan frontier

with the frontier of the Russian Empire, is incorporated in

the dominions of the Amir of Bokhara.

(2) The right bank of the Amu Daria being severed from the

Khanate of Khiva, the caravan routes leading north from

Bokhara into the Russian dominions traverse exclusively

the territories of Bokhara and Russia. The Governments of

Russia and Bokhara, each within its own territory, shall

watch over the safety of these caravan routes and of the

trade thereupon.

(3) Russian steamers, and other Russian vessels, whether

belonging to the Government or to private individuals,

shall have the right of free navigation on that portion of

the Amu Daria which belongs to the Amir of Bokhara.

(4) The Russians shall have the right to establish piers

and warehouses in such places upon the Bokharan banks of

the Amu Daria as may be judged necessary and convenient for

that purpose. The Bokharan Government shall be responsible

for the safety of these erections. The final and definite

selection of localities shall rest with the supreme Russian

authorities in Central Asia.

(5) All the towns and villages of the Khanate of Bokhara

shall be open to Russian trade. Russian traders and

caravans shall have free passage throughout the Khanate,

and shall enjoy the special protection of the local

authorities. The Bokharan Government shall be responsible

for the safety of Russian caravans on Bokharan territory.

(6) All merchandise belonging to Russian traders, whether

imported from Russia to Bokhara or exported from Bokhara to

Russia, shall be subject to an _ad valorem_ duty of 2½ per

cent., in the same manner as an _ad valorem_ duty of ⅟40 is

charged in the Russian province of Turkestan. No other tax,

duty, or impost whatsoever shall be imposed thereupon.

(7) Russian traders shall have the right to transport their

merchandise through Bokhara free of transit dues.

(8) Russian traders shall have the right to establish

caravanserais for the storage of merchandise in all

Bokharan towns. The same right is accorded to Bokharan

traders in the towns of the Russian province of Turkestan.

(9) Russian traders shall have the right to keep commercial

agents in all the towns of Bokhara, in order to watch

over the progress of trade and the levying of duties, and

to enter into communications with the local authorities

thereupon. The same right is accorded to Bokharan traders

in the towns of the Russian province of Turkestan.

(10) All commercial engagements between Russians and

Bokharans shall be held sacred, and shall be faithfully

carried out by both parties. The Bokharan Government shall

undertake to keep watch over the honest fulfilment of all

such engagements, and over the fair and honourable conduct

of commercial affairs in general.

(11) Russian subjects shall have the right, in common

with the subjects of Bokhara, to carry on all branches of

industry and handicraft on Bokharan territory that are

sanctioned by the law of Sharigat. Bokharan subjects shall

have a similar right to practise all such occupations on

Russian territory as are sanctioned by the law of Russia.

(12) Russian subjects shall have the right to acquire

gardens, cultivate lands, and own every species of real

property in the Khanate. Such property shall be subject

to the same land tax as Bokharan property. The same

right shall be enjoyed by Bokharan subjects in the whole

territory of the Russian Empire.

(13) Russian subjects shall have the right to enter

Bokharan territory when furnished with permits, signed by

the Russian authorities. They shall have the right of free

passage throughout the Khanate, and shall enjoy the special

protection of the Bokharan authorities.

(14) The Bokharan Government shall not in any case admit

on to Bokharan territory any foreigners, of whatever

nationality, arriving from Russian territory, unless they

be furnished with special permits signed by the Russian

authorities. If a criminal, being a Russian subject, takes

refuge on Bokharan territory, he shall be arrested by the

Bokharan authorities and delivered over to the nearest

Russian authorities.

(15) In order to maintain direct and uninterrupted

relations with the supreme Russian authorities in Central

Asia, the Amir of Bokhara shall appoint one of his intimate

counsellors to be his resident envoy and plenipotentiary at

Tashkent. Such envoy shall reside at Tashkent in a house

belonging to the Amir and at the expense of the latter.

(16) The Russian Government shall in like manner have the

right to appoint a permanent representative at Bokhara,

attached to the person of his Highness the Amir. He shall

reside in a house belonging to the Russian Government and

at the expense of the latter.

(17) In conformity with the desire of the Emperor of All

the Russias, and in order to enhance the glory of his

Imperial Majesty, his Highness the Amir Seid Mozaffur

has determined as follows: The traffic in human beings,

being contrary to the law which commands man to love his

neighbour, is abolished for ever in the territory of

Bokhara. In accordance with this resolve, the strictest

injunctions shall immediately be given by the Amir to all

his Begs to enforce the new law and special orders shall be

sent to all the frontier towns of Bokhara to which slaves

are brought for sale from neighbouring countries, that

should any such slave be brought thither, they shall be

taken from their owners and shall be set at liberty without

loss of time.

(18) His Highness the Amir Seid Mozaffur, being sincerely

desirous of strengthening and developing the amicable

relations which have subsisted for five years to the

benefit of Bokhara, approves and accepts for his guidance

the above seventeen articles composing a treaty of

friendship between Russia and Bokhara. This treaty shall

consist of two copies, each copy being written in the two

languages, in the Russian and in the Turki language.

In token of the confirmation of this treaty and of

its acceptance for the guidance of himself and of his

successors, the Amir Seid Mozaffur has affixed thereto his

seal. Done at Shaar on the 10th day of October 1873, being

the 19th day of the month Shayban of the year 1290.

_Translations of letters_[46] _from_ ADJUTANT-GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN,

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF TURKESTAN, _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN.

TASHKENT, _June 1878_.

_To the_ AMIR OF THE WHOLE OF AFGHANISTAN, SHIR ALI KHAN.

“Be it known to you that our relations with the British

Government are of great importance to Afghanistan and its

dependencies. As I am unable to see you, I have deputed

my trustworthy (official) General Stolietoff to you. The

General is an old friend of mine, and during the late

Russo-Turkish war earned the favour of the Emperor by

his spirit and bravery. He has become well known to the

Emperor. This trustworthy person will communicate to you

what he thinks best. I hope you will pay attention to what

he says, and repose as much confidence in his words as if

they were my own; and that you will give your answer in

this matter through him. In the meantime, be it known to

you that if a friendly treaty will be of benefit to us, it

will be of far greater benefit to yourself.”

_Received through_ GENERAL STOLIETOFF, _August 9, 1878_.

“Be it known to you that in these days the relations

between the British Government and ours with regard to

your kingdom require deep consideration. As I am unable to

communicate my opinion verbally to you, I have deputed my

agent, Major-General Stolietoff. This gentleman is a near

friend of mine, and performed excellent services in the

late Russo-Turkish war, by which he earned favour of the

Emperor. The Emperor has always had a regard for him. He

will inform you of all that is hidden in my mind. I hope

you will pay great attention to what he says, and believe

him as you would myself, and, after due consideration, you

will give him your reply. Meanwhile, be it known to you

that your union and friendship with the Russian Government

will be beneficial to the latter, and still more so to

you. The advantages of a close alliance with the Russian

Government will be permanently evident.”

GENERAL STOLIETOFF sent the following letter, on his return to Tashkent

from Kabul, to the Foreign Minister, WAZIR SHAH MAHOMMED KHAN, dated

September 21, 1878:

“Thank God, I reached Tashkent safely, and at an auspicious

moment paid my respect to the Viceroy (Yaroni Padishah

means ‘half king’). I am trying day and night to gain our

objects, and hope I shall be successful. I am starting to

see the Emperor to-day, in order to inform his Majesty

personally of our affairs. If God pleases, everything that

is necessary will be done and affirmed. _I hope that those

who want to enter the gate of Kabul from the east will

see that the door is closed; then, please God, they will

tremble._ I hope you will give my respects to his Highness

the Amir. May God make his life long and increase his

wealth! May you remain in good health, and know that the

protection of God will arrange our affairs!

“(Signed) GENERAL STOLIETOFF.”

_From_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN,

_dated Tashkent, October 22, 1878_.

“Be it known to you that your letter, dated 12th Shawal,

reached me at Tashkent on the 16th October, _i.e._, 3rd

Zekada, and I understood its contents. I have telegraphed

an abstract of your letter to the address of the Emperor,

and have sent the letter itself, as also that addressed to

General Stolietoff, by post to Livadia, where the Emperor

now is. I am informed on good authority that the English

want to come to terms with you; and, as a friend, I advise

you to make peace with them if they offer it.”

_From_ GENERAL STOLIETOFF _to_ WAZIR SHAH MAHOMMED KHAN,

_dated October 8, 1878_.

“First of all, I hope you will be kind enough to give

my respects to the Amir. May God make his life long and

increase his wealth! I shall always remember his royal

hospitality. I am busy day and night in his affairs, and,

thank God, my labours have not been without result.

The great Emperor is a true friend of the Amir’s and of

Afghanistan, and his Majesty will do whatever he may think

necessary. Of course, you have not forgotten what I told

you, that the affairs of kingdoms are like a country which

has many mountains, valleys, and rivers. One who sits on a

high mountain can see things well. By the power and order

of God, there is no empire equal to that of our great

Emperor. May God make his life long! Therefore, whatever

our Government advises you, you should give ear to it. I

tell you the truth that our Government is wise as a serpent

and harmless as a dove. There are many things which you

cannot understand, but our Government understands them

well. It often happens that a thing which is unpleasant at

first is regarded as a blessing afterwards. Now, my kind

friend, I inform you that the enemy of your famous religion

wants to make peace with you through the Kaisar (Sultan)

of Turkey. Therefore, you should look to your brothers who

live on the other side of the river. If God stirs them up,

and gives the sword of fight into their hands, then go on

in the name of God (Bismilla), otherwise you should be as a

serpent; make peace openly, and in secret prepare for war,

and when God reveals His order to you, declare yourself. It

will be well, when the Envoy of your enemy wants to enter

the country, if you send an able emissary, possessing the

tongue of a serpent and full of deceit, to the enemy’s

country, so that he may with sweet words perplex the

enemy’s mind, and induce him to give up the intention of

fighting with you.

“My kind friend, I entrust you to the protection of God.

May God be the protector of the Amir’s kingdom, and may

trembling fall upon the limbs of your enemies! Amen.

“Write to me soon, and send the letter to the capital.

Please write in Arabic characters, so that I may be able to

read your letter.”

_From_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN,

_dated November 26, 1878_.

“I was much pleased to receive your letter, dated 24th

Zekada, 1295 (November 18, 1878), and to hear of your good

health. I have also received a copy of the letter which

you sent to the Governor-General. May God be pleased with

you. The British Ministers have given a pledge to our

Ambassador in London that they will not interfere with the

independence of Afghanistan. I am directed by his Majesty

the Emperor to communicate this news to you, and then,

after forming friendship, to go to his Majesty. I intend

to go to the Russian capital after I have arranged the

affairs of this country (Turkestan). As I do not consider

it advisable to keep your trusted officials, whom you are

in want of, here any more, I send Mahommed Hassan Khan,

Kamuah (Deputy-Governor), and Gholam Haidar Khan, with

two officers, back to you. I hope you will consider me a

well-wisher of your kingdom, and write to me now and then.

I have given instructions that, until my return, every

letter of yours which they receive at Turkestan should be

forwarded to the capital. Your good fortune is a cause

of happiness to me, and if any troubles come upon you, I

also shall be grieved. Some presents have been sent by me

through Mirza Mahommed Hassan, Kamuah; perhaps they may be

accepted.”

_Translation of a letter from_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to_ GENERAL

VOZGONOFF, _dated December, 1878._

“The Amir knows perfectly well that it is impossible for

me to assist him with troops in winter. Therefore, it

is necessary that war should not be commenced at this

unseasonable time. If the English, in spite of the Amir’s

exertions to avoid the war, commence it, you must then take

leave of the Amir and start for Tashkent, because your

presence in Afghanistan in winter is useless. Moreover, at

such a juncture as the commencement of war in Afghanistan,

you ought to come here and explain the whole thing to me,

so that I may communicate it to the Emperor. This will be

of great benefit to Afghanistan and to Russia.”

_From_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN,

_dated December 25, 1878_.

“Your letter, dated 27th Zel Hijja (November 20, 1878),

has reached me. I was pleased to hear tidings of your good

health. The Emperor has caused the British Government

to agree to the continuance of Afghan independence. The

English Ministers have promised this. I earnestly request

you not to leave your kingdom. As far as possible, consider

your own interests, and do not lose your independence. For

the present come to terms with the British Government. If

you do not want to go back to Kabul for this purpose, you

can write to your son, Mahommed Yakub Khan, to make peace

with the English as you may direct him. Do not leave the

soil of Afghanistan at this time, because it will be of

benefit to you. My words are not without truth, because

your arrival in Russian territory will make things worse.”

_From_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN,

_received at Mazar-i-Sharif on January 17, 1879_.

“I have received your friendly letter, dated 13th Zel Hijja

(December 8, 1878). In that letter you asked me to send as

many troops as could be got ready. I have written to you a

letter to the effect that the Emperor, on account of your

troubles, had communicated with the British Government,

and that the Russian Ambassador at London had obtained a

promise from the British Ministers to the effect that they

would not injure the independence of Afghanistan. Perhaps

you sent your letter before you got mine. Now, I have heard

that you have appointed your son, Mahommed Yakub, as your

Regent, and have come out of Kabul with some troops. I have

received an order from the Emperor to the effect that it is

impossible to assist you with troops now. I hope you will

be fortunate. It all depends on the decree of God. Believe

me, that the friendship which I made with you will be

perpetual. It is necessary to send back General Vozgonoff

and his companions. You can keep Dr. Yuralski with you if

you please. No doubt the doctor will be of use to you and

to your dependents. I hope our friendship will continue to

be strengthened, and that intercourse will be carried on

between us.”

_From_ GENERAL VON KAUFFMAN _to the_ AMIR SHIR ALI,

_dated December 29, 1878_.

“The Foreign Minister, General Gortchakow, has informed me

by telegraph that the Emperor has directed me to trouble

you to come to Tashkent for the present. I therefore

communicate this news to you with great pleasure; at

the same time, I may mention that I have received no

instructions about your journey to St. Petersburg. My

personal interview with you will increase our friendship

greatly.”

_Letter from_ MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF, _Governor of Zerafshan, to

the Heir-Apparent_, MAHOMMED MUSA KHAN, _and others_.

“On the 26th of Rabi-ul-Awul, at an auspicious moment, I

received your letter which you sent me, and understood its

contents. I was very much pleased, and at once communicated

it to General Kauffman, the Governor-General. With regard

to what you wrote about the friendly relations between the

Russian and Afghan Governments, and your own desire for

friendship, I have the honour to state that we are also

desirous of being friends. The friendship between the two

Governments existed in the time of the late Amir, and I

hope that it will be increased and strengthened by Amir

Mahommed Yakub Khan.

“May God change the wars in your country to happiness;

may peace reign in it; and may your Government be

strengthened! I have been forwarding all your letters to

the Governor-General, General Kauffman. May God keep you

safe!

“The Zerafshan Province Governor,

“MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF.”

Written and sealed by the General.

Written on March 29, 1879.

Treaty between the Russian Government and Amir Shir Ali Khan, written

from memory by Mirza Mahommed Nabbi.

(1) The Russian Government engages that the friendship of

the Russian Government with the Government of Amir Shir

Ali Khan, Amir of All Afghanistan, will be a permanent and

perpetual one.

(2) The Russian Government engages that, as Sirdar Abdulla

Khan, son of the Amir, is dead, the friendship of the

Russian Government with any person whom the Amir may

appoint Heir-Apparent to the throne of Afghanistan, and

with the heir of the Heir-Apparent, will remain firm and

perpetual.

(3) The Russian Government engages that if any foreign

enemy attacks Afghanistan, and the Amir is unable to drive

him out, and asks the assistance of the Russian Government,

the Russian Government will repel the enemy, either by

means of advice or by such other means as it may consider

proper.

(4) The Amir of Afghanistan will not wage war with any

foreign Power without consulting the Russian Government,

and without its permission.

(5) The Amir of Afghanistan engages that he will always

report in a friendly manner to the Russian Government what

goes on in his kingdom.

(6) The Amir of Afghanistan will communicate every

wish and important affair of his to General Kauffman,

Governor-General of Turkestan, and the Governor-General

will be authorised by the Russian Government to fulfil the

wishes of the Amir.

(7) The Russian Government engages that the Afghan

merchants who may trade and sojourn in Russian territory

will be safe from wrong, and that they will be allowed to

carry away their profits.

(8) The Amir of Afghanistan will have the power to send

his servants to Russia to learn arts and trades, and the

Russian officers will treat them with consideration and

respect as men of rank.

(9) (Does not remember.)

(10) I, Major-General Stolietoff Nicholas, being a

trusted Agent of the Russian Government, have made the

above-mentioned Articles between the Russian Government and

the Government of Amir Shir Ali Khan, and have put my seal

to them.

_Correspondence between the_ BRITISH _and_ RUSSIAN GOVERNMENTS

_Respecting the Exclusion of_ AFGHANISTAN _from the_ RUSSIAN

_sphere of influence, and settling the Russo-Afghan Frontier of

1872 and 1887_.

From time to time the Russian Government has given a series of

assurances that whatever its action in other respects may have been, it

regarded Afghanistan as entirely beyond its sphere of action.

In March 1869, the Earl of Clarendon, then Secretary of State for

Foreign Affairs, informed the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg that

he had received communication of a despatch addressed by the Russian

Chancellor, Prince Gortchakow, to the Russian Ambassador in London,

containing the following declaration:

“You may repeat to her Britannic Majesty’s Principal

Secretary of State the positive assurance that his Imperial

Majesty looks upon Afghanistan as completely outside the

sphere within which Russia may be called upon to exercise

her influence. No intervention or interference whatever,

opposed to the independence of that State, enters into his

intentions.”

On October 17, 1872, Earl Granville addressed to Lord Loftus,

Ambassador at St. Petersburg, the following letter upon the

Russo-Afghan frontier.

“Her Majesty’s Government I have not yet received from

the Cabinet of St. Petersburg communication of the report

which General Kauffman was long since instructed to draw

up on the countries south of the Oxus, which are claimed

by the ruler of Afghanistan as his hereditary possessions.

Her Majesty’s Government have awaited this communication

in full confidence that impartial inquiries instituted by

that distinguished officer would confirm the views they

themselves take of this matter, and so enable the two

Governments to come to a prompt and definitive decision on

the question that has been so long in discussion between

them. But as the expected communication has not reached

them, and as they consider it of importance, both for the

maintenance of peace and tranquillity in Central Asia, and

for removing all causes of misunderstanding between the

Imperial Government and themselves, I will no longer delay

making known, through your Excellency, to the Imperial

Government the conclusion at which her Majesty’s Government

have arrived, after carefully weighing all the evidence

before them. In the opinion, then, of her Majesty’s

Government, the right of the Amir of Kabul (Shir Ali) to

the possession of the territories up to the Oxus as far

down as Khoja Saleh is fully established, and they believe,

and have so stated to him through the Indian Government,

that he would have a right to defend these territories if

invaded. On the other hand, her Majesty’s authorities in

India have declared their determination to remonstrate

strongly with the Amir should he evince any disposition to

overstep these limits of his kingdom. Hitherto the Amir

has proved most amenable to the advice offered to him by

the Indian Government, and has cordially accepted the

peaceful policy which they have recommended him to adopt,

because the Indian Government have been able to accompany

their advice with an assurance that the territorial

integrity of Afghanistan would in like manner be respected

by those Powers beyond his frontiers which are amenable

to the influence of Russia. The policy thus happily

inaugurated has produced the most beneficial results in the

establishment of peace in the countries where it has long

been unknown. Her Majesty’s Government believe that it is

now in the power of the Russian Government, by an explicit

recognition of the right of the Amir of Kabul to these

territories which he now claims, which Bokhara herself

admits to be his, and which all evidence as yet produced

shows to be in his actual and effectual possession, to

assist the British Government in perpetuating, so far as

it is in human power to do so, the peace and prosperity of

those regions, and in removing for ever by such means all

cause of uneasiness and jealousy between England and Russia

in regard to their respective policies in Asia.

“For your Excellency’s more complete information I state

the territories and boundaries which her Majesty’s

Government consider as fully belonging to the Amir of

Kabul, viz.:

“(1) Badakshan, with its dependent district of Wakhan, from

the Sarikal (Wood’s Lake) on the east, to the junction of

the Kokcha river with the Oxus (or Penjah), forming the

northern boundary of this Afghan province throughout its

entire extent.

“(2) Afghan Turkestan, comprising the districts of Kunduz,

Khulm, and Balkh, the northern boundary of which would be

the line of the Oxus from the junction of the Kokcha river

to the post of the Khoja Saleh, inclusive, on the high road

from Bokhara to Balkh. Nothing to be claimed by the Afghan

Amir on the left bank of the Oxus below Khoja Saleh.

“(3) The internal districts of Aksha, Saripool, Maimana,

Shibherfan, and Andkoi, the latter of which would be the

extreme Afghan frontier possession to the north-west, the

desert beyond belonging to independent tribes of Turcomans.

“(4) The western Afghan frontier between the dependencies

of Herat and those of the Persian province of Khorassan is

well known and need not here be defined. Your Excellency

will give a copy of this despatch to the Russian Minister

for Foreign Affairs.

“I am, etc.,

“GRANVILLE.”

(REPLY)

PRINCE GORTCHAKOW _to_ COUNT BRUNNOW (_communicated to_

EARL GRANVILLE _by_ COUNT BRUNNOW, _February 5, 1873_).

“ST. PETERSBURG,

“_January 31, 1873_.

“M. LE COMTE,--Lord Augustus Loftus has communicated to me

the reply of her Britannic Majesty’s principal Secretary of

State to our despatch on Central Asia of the 19th December.

“I enclose a copy of his document.

“We see with satisfaction that the English Cabinet

continues to pursue in those parts the same object as

ourselves, that of ensuring to them peace, and as far as

possible, tranquillity. The divergence which existed in our

views was with regard to the frontiers assigned to the

dominions of Shir Ali. The English Cabinet includes within

them Badakshan and Wakhan, which, according to our views,

enjoyed a certain independence. Considering the difficulty

experienced in establishing the facts in all their details

in those distant parts, considering the greater facilities

which the British Government possesses for collecting

precise data, and, above all, considering our wish not to

give to this question of detail greater importance than is

due to it, we do not refuse to accept the line of boundary

laid down by England. We are the more inclined to this

act of courtesy as the English Government engages to use

all her influence with Shir Ali in order to induce him to

maintain a peaceful attitude, as well as to insist on his

giving up all measures of aggression or further conquests.

This influence is indisputable. It is based not only on

the material and moral ascendency of England, but also on

the subsidies for which Shir Ali is indebted to her. Such

being the case, we see in his assurance a real guarantee

for the maintenance of peace. Your Excellency will have

the goodness to make this declaration to her Britannic

Majesty’s principal Secretary of State, and to give him a

copy of this despatch. We are convinced that Lord Granville

will perceive in it a fresh proof of the value which our

august master attaches to the maintenance and consolidation

of the most friendly relations with the Government of her

Majesty Queen Victoria.

“(_Signed_) GORTCHAKOW.”

In 1874, after the annexation of Khiva to the Russian dominions, Earl

Granville wrote, on January 7, as follows, to her Majesty’s Ambassador

in St. Petersburg, summing up the previous correspondence which had

passed between the two Governments:

EARL GRANVILLE _to_ LORD A. LOFTUS.

[Extract.]

“FOREIGN OFFICE,

“_January 7, 1874_.

“Her Majesty’s Government see no practical advantage in

examining too minutely how far these arrangements (between

the Russian Government and the Khan of Khiva) are in strict

accordance with the assurances given to me in January

last by Count Schouvalow, as to the intentions with which

the expedition against Khiva was undertaken. They are not

disposed to share in the exaggerated apprehensions which

have at times been expressed in this country as to the

danger to British rule in India which may arise from the

extension of Russian influence in Central Asia.

“At the same time each step of that progress renders

it more desirable that a clear and frank understanding

should continue to exist between the two countries as to

the relative position of British and Russian interests

in Asia, and it is with that object that her Majesty’s

Government think it right on the present occasion to review

the communications which have passed on the subject, and

the position of affairs as they stand in respect of the

future. In so doing they are fulfilling the wish expressed

by Prince Gortchakow, in conversation with Sir A. Buchanan,

on the 2nd of November, 1869, when he begged that Lord

Clarendon might be told that, ‘as both Governments are free

from all _arrière-pensées_, ambitious views, or unfriendly

feelings towards each other, the more fully and frankly all

questions connected with Central Asia are discussed between

them, the more effectually will the ‘mists’ be blown away,

which, through the misrepresentations of over-zealous

subordinate agents, may at any time hang over them.’

“In the spring of 1869 Lord Clarendon, in several

conversations with Baron Brunnow, drew attention to the

rapid progress of the Russian troops in Central Asia, and

made a proposal for the ‘recognition of some territory as

neutral between the possessions of England and Russia,

which should be the limit of those possessions, and which

should be scrupulously respected by both Powers.’

“Prince Gortchakow, to whom Baron Brunnow had communicated

Lord Clarendon’s suggestions, replied that ‘the idea of

maintaining between the possessions of the two Empires

in Asia a zone to preserve them from any contact’ had

always been shared by the Emperor, and he authorised Baron

Brunnow to ‘repeat to her Britannic Majesty’s Principal

Secretary of State the positive assurance that his Imperial

Majesty looks upon Afghanistan as completely outside the

sphere within which Russia may be called upon to exercise

her influence. No intervention or interference whatever,

opposed to the independence of that State, enters into his

intentions.’

“Her Majesty’s Government gladly take this opportunity of

again acknowledging the friendly and conciliatory spirit

shown by the Imperial Government in the acceptance by them

of the views advanced on the part of Great Britain, as to

the frontier line of Afghanistan. Those views were stated,

as you are aware, in my despatch to your Excellency of

October 17, 1872, and the assent of the Imperial Government

to the definition of the Afghan frontier as therein laid

down, will be found in Prince Gortchakow’s despatches to

Baron Brunnow of December 7, 1872, and January 19, 1873.

“Such was the agreement arrived at between the two

countries. On their part, her Majesty’s Government may

fairly claim that it has been faithfully executed to the

full extent of their power.

“It is unnecessary to retrace the series of circumstances

which, in spite of the reluctance of the Russian

Government, led to the recent expedition against Khiva.

In the face of these events it would be unwise not to

contemplate the possibility that considerations of

self-defence, or the necessity of punishing acts of

plunder and hostility, may eventually give occasion for a

Russian expedition against the Turkoman tribes.

“In face of the agreement which exists between the two

countries, it is unnecessary for her Majesty’s Government

to make any profession of their conviction that Afghanistan

is perfectly secure from any hostile designs on the part

of Russia. They think it best, however, to bring the fears

entertained by the Amir to the knowledge of the Russian

Government, and to express their earnest hope that the

question of any further expedition against the Turkoman

tribes may be carefully considered, in conjunction with the

results which the Amir of Kabul apprehends may ensue from

it. They think it right to state candidly and at once that

the independence of Afghanistan is regarded by them as a

matter of great importance to the welfare and security of

British India and to the tranquillity of Asia.”

Prince Gortchakow replied on January 21, 1874, to his Ambassador in

London:

PRINCE GORTCHAKOW _to_ COUNT BRUNNOW (_communicated to_ EARL

GRANVILLE _by_ COUNT BRUNNOW, _February 17_).

[Extract.]

“ST. PETERSBURG, _January 21_.

“I have expressed to the British Ambassador the entire

satisfaction which we feel at the just view taken by her

Majesty’s Government with regard to the questions which we

are called upon to treat together in Asia.

“In my opinion the understanding is complete. It rests not

only upon the loyalty of the two Governments, but upon

mutual political advantages which are palpably evident.

So long as they shall be animated by a spirit of mutual

goodwill and conciliation, no political misunderstanding is

to be apprehended between them.

“For our part, we remain constantly faithful to the

programme traced by mutual agreement, as resulted from

my interviews with Lord Clarendon, and as developed and

defined by the communications between the two Cabinets.

“I have repeated to Lord A. Loftus the positive assurance

that the Imperial Cabinet continues to consider Afghanistan

as entirely beyond its sphere of action.

“If on either side the two Governments exercise their

ascendency over the States placed within the range of

their natural influence in order to deter them from all

aggression, there is reason to hope that no violent

collision will occur to disturb the repose of Central Asia,

and interfere with the work of civilisation which it is the

duty and the interest of the two great Empires to bring to

a favourable issue.

“Be good enough to communicate these observations to Lord

Granville, and to repeat to his Excellency our conviction

that the two Governments have an equal interest in not

allowing their good relations to be disturbed by the

intrigues of Asiatic Khans, and that so long as they

both act together with a feeling of mutual confidence

and goodwill, the tranquillity of Central Asia will be

sufficiently guaranteed against all eventualities.”

On January 28, 1874, the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg reported

to Lord Granville a further assurance given to him by the Russian

Chancellor:

LORD A. LOFTUS _to_ EARL GRANVILLE.

[Extract.]

“ST. PETERSBURG,

“_January 19, 1874_.

“As regards Afghanistan, his Highness repeated to me that

the Imperial Government considered that kingdom to be

beyond the sphere of their political action, and that,

happen what might, in the internal state of that country,

the Imperial Government would not interfere.”

In 1876, after the occupation of Khokand by the Russians, Prince

Gortchakoff instructed the Russian Ambassador to communicate the

following despatch to her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign

Affairs:

PRINCE GORTCHAKOW _to_ COUNT SCHUVALOFF (_communicated to the_

EARL OF DERBY _by_ COUNT SCHUVALOFF, _February 25, 1876_).

[Extract]

“ST. PETERSBURG, _February 3, / 15, 1876_.

“His Majesty the Emperor has learned with much interest the

contents of the Memorandum accompanying a despatch from

Lord Derby, which Lord A. Loftus read, in my absence, to

the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.

“I enclose herewith a copy of this document, which is a

reply to the Memorandum dated the 11th May, 1875, which

your Excellency was instructed to communicate to the

Principal Secretary of State of her Britannic Majesty

regarding the relations of the two Governments in Central

Asia.

“Our august Master has learnt with satisfaction the

friendly desire therein expressed to prevent, by frank

explanations, any cause of misunderstanding between the two

Cabinets. His Majesty appreciates likewise the breadth of

view with which Lord Derby puts on one side discussions of

detail and restrictions which are inapplicable in view of

the ill-defined condition of the countries over which the

two Governments have to exercise their influence.

“Have the goodness to inform his Excellency, by order of

our august Master, that we entirely agree in the conclusion

that, while maintaining on either side, the arrangement

come to as regards the limits of Afghanistan, which is

to remain outside the sphere of Russian action, the two

Cabinets should regard as terminated the discussions

relative to the intermediate zone, which have been

recognised as unpractical; that, while retaining entire

freedom of action, they should be guided by a mutual

desire to pay due regard to their respective interests and

necessities, by avoiding, as far as possible, any immediate

contact with each other, and any collisions between the

Asiatic States placed within the circle of their influence.

“We are convinced that by keeping to this principle, and

cultivating feelings of equity and reciprocal goodwill, the

two Cabinets will succeed in consolidating the friendly

relations so happily established between them, for the

advantage of the general peace in Europe and Asia.

“Your Excellency can renew to Lord Derby the assurance that

he may reckon on our frank co-operation for this purpose.”

After drawing the attention of the Russian Government, at the end of

1876, to the correspondence exchanged between General Kauffman and the

Amir of Kabul, the British Ambassador received the following further

assurance:

M. DE GIERS _to_ LORD A. LOFTUS.

“ST. PETERSBURG, _February 21, / March 5, 1877_.

“The Imperial Government entirely share the opinion of the

British Government that a frank and cordial interchange

of opinions on the question of Central Asia cannot do

otherwise than contribute to the maintenance of the good

and friendly relations at present established between

Russia and England.

“With this view they felt ready to give, in the Notes

of the 19th November / 1st December and the 3rd /

15th December, to which your Excellency refers, the

assurance that Russia had not endeavoured to conclude any

arrangement, commercial or political, with the Amir of

Kabul, and that the rare relations of our authorities in

Central Asia with the latter had never borne any other

character than that of pure courtesy, in conformity

with local usages in the East. While now renewing these

assurances, the Imperial Government hope the British

Government will recognise that practically we have never

swerved from them, whatever may have been the erroneous

interpretations placed by the native Asiatic Governments

on the communications of General Kauffman, and whatever

false importance may have been attributed to the method

of transmission adopted by him. Misunderstandings on this

subject were nearly inevitable, considering the uncertain

character of the native populations of Central Asia,

and their inveterate inclination to intrigue; the only

effective way, in our opinion, of meeting this danger,

lies in the good faith and loyalty which, we are glad to

think, will never cease to influence, on either side, any

interchange of views between us and the British Cabinet.”

The following Notes were exchanged between the Russian Ambassador in

London and Lord Salisbury before General Stolietoff’s final recall from

Kabul after the conclusion of the Congress of Berlin:

COUNT SCHUVALOFF _to the_ MARQUIS OF SALISBURY

LONDON, _December 7, / 19, 1878_.

“You have expressed surprise on learning that the Russian

mission, which you thought had left Kabul, was still there.

You reminded me of the declaration made by M. de Giers to

the British Chargé d’Affaires concerning the provisional

character of this mission, which was despatched under

exceptional circumstances, and at a time when it was to be

feared that war might break out between England and Russia.

“I have received a telegram from Prince Gortchakow, in

which he charges me to ask you whether the arrangements

between Russia and England, such as they existed before the

despatch of the mission, and such as they are recorded in

the correspondence exchanged on this subject between the

two Cabinets, are maintained by her Majesty’s Government,

and whether they retain in their eyes their obligatory

character.

“His Majesty the Emperor is disposed, on his part, to

observe all the arrangements relative to Central Asia

concluded between Russia and England, and to recall

immediately the mission which is at Kabul.”

THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY _to_ COUNT SCHUVALOFF.

“FOREIGN OFFICE,

“_December 19, 1878_.

“In reply to your letter of this day’s date, I have to

state to your Excellency that the continued presence of

the Russian Mission at Kabul is the sole obstacle to a

full revival of the understanding between the two Powers

expressed in the correspondence which has passed between

them upon the subject of Afghanistan and Central Asia;

and when the Russian Mission is withdrawn, her Majesty’s

Government will consider that all engagements on both sides

with respect to those countries retain their obligatory

character.”

In 1882 the position of the two countries in Asia was again discussed

in connection with the Russian advance to Merv.

EARL GRANVILLE _to_ SIR E. THORNTON.

“FOREIGN OFFICE,

_February 22, 1882_.

“The Russian Ambassador called upon me this afternoon by

appointment. His Excellency told me that he had reported to

his Government the substance of the conversation we had had

on the 2nd instant on the policy of the two Governments in

Asia, as reported in my despatch of that date.

“Prince Lobanow said that he had told his Government that

I had commenced by stating that the present good relations

between Russia and England offered an opportunity, of

which it was desirable to take advantage, for coming to

some further understanding as to the position of the two

countries in Central Asia; that he had thereupon suggested

a renewal of the agreement formerly made with Prince

Gortchakow by Lord Clarendon and me; that to this I had

replied that I looked upon that agreement as still existing

in full force, but that it left certain matters undecided

which it would be well definitely to settle; and that I

had finished by proposing a delimitation of the Persian

frontier from Baba Durmaz to a point in the neighbourhood

of the Hari Rud.

“He had now received the reply of his Government. They

acknowledged the continued validity of the agreement

formerly entered into by Prince Gortchakow, by which

Afghanistan was admitted to be beyond the sphere of Russian

influence. That agreement was, however, as I had said,

incomplete: and they were ready to supplement it by a

settlement of the frontier of Afghanistan, from the point

where it had been left undefined as far as Sarakhs.”

In 1883 the following correspondence took place:

EARL GRANVILLE _to_ MR. J. G. KENNEDY.

“FOREIGN OFFICE,

“_October 2, 1883_.

“A report has reached her Majesty’s Government of an

intended visit of a Russian to Kabul bearing a letter from

the Emperor of Russia to the Amir.

“Such a proceeding on the part of the Russian Government

would be inconsistent with the assurances which they have

given to her Majesty’s Government from time to time on the

subject of Afghanistan.

“I have to instruct you to inquire as to the truth of this

report, and to inform me of the result by telegraph.”

MR. J. G. KENNEDY _to_ EARL GRANVILLE.

“ST. PETERSBURG, _October 3, 1883_.

“I have the honour to state that on receipt to-day of your

Lordship’s telegram of the 2nd instant I immediately waited

on M. de Giers at the Foreign Department, and inquired of

his Excellency whether there was any truth in a report

which had reached her Majesty’s Government that a Russian

intended to go to Kabul, furnished with a letter to the

Amir from the Emperor.

“M. de Giers at once replied that such an event was

impossible. The Emperor was most unlikely to give any

letter addressed to the Amir to any one. No such letter

could be written without M. de Giers’ knowledge, and he

could positively and solemnly assure me that no such letter

had been written by his Imperial Majesty.

“M. de Giers further states that so anxious were the

Emperor and himself to avoid all suspicion of Russian

communication with Afghanistan, that strict orders had been

sent to the Governor-General of Turkestan to desist from

the transmission of letters of ceremony, or even of letters

of recommendation, to the Amir in favour of travellers. In

fact, all possible steps were taken to prevent intercourse

between Russia and Afghanistan, which latter country was

considered to be in England’s ‘orbit.’

“In reply to a suggestion of mine, M. de Giers stated that

no such letter could have been written during the Moscow

Coronation festivities, at which period the Emperor had

been most guarded in all his dealings with the various

Asiatic potentates there assembled.

“M. de Giers also promised to inform me at once whenever

any intention existed of such an improbable event as the

transmission of a letter from his Imperial Majesty to the

Ruler of Afghanistan.”

In 1884, in view of inquiries made by the British Government as to the

reported despatch of a Russian Agent to Maimana, within the frontiers

of Afghanistan, M. de Giers communicated on April 15 / 27 to the

British Ambassador at St. Petersburg the following:

“The Imperial Ministry can, on the other hand, state that

no agent has been sent to Maimana. According to the terms

of the arrangement come to between the two Powers, Maimana

is included in the country of the Amir of Afghanistan, and

the Government of his Majesty the Emperor is resolved to

scrupulously respect, as it has done in times past, all the

engagements it contracted in virtue of the arrangement in

question.”

In 1885 further disquieting reports having arisen with regard to the

proceedings of the Russians on the Afghan frontier, the following

Memorandum was communicated by the Russian Foreign Office to the

British Ambassador at St. Petersburg:

“The Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs has taken note

of the Memorandum which was transmitted by the English

Ambassador on the 16th instant, and which contains the

expression of the wish of her Majesty’s Government that

the agitation raised in the two countries by the rumours

about the preparations said to be in progress on both sides

should cease.”

The same Memorandum states that, unless circumstances arise over which

they have no control, which might bring about sudden changes, the two

Governments are in a position which would allow them to arrive at

an arrangement satisfactory and honourable for Russia, the Amir of

Afghanistan, and England!

“The Imperial Cabinet cannot do less than join in this

desire of her Majesty’s Government. They have never

cherished, nor do they cherish, aggressive views on Herat,

or any other part of the Amir’s possessions, and they

only aim at contributing to the establishment of peace

and security there. Resolved, as they are, to respect

scrupulously the rights of Great Britain, as well as those

of the Amir, the Imperial Cabinet hope that her Majesty’s

Government will display the same regard for the rights of

Russia, and they are convinced that the two Governments

will thus succeed in avoiding everything which might

interfere with a satisfactory solution of the question now

under negotiation.

“ST. PETERSBURG, _March 18, 1885_.”

The circumstances which had arisen made the arrangement of a

Russo-Afghan Boundary Convention desirable, and it was agreed at St.

Petersburg on July 10, 1887, that:

“(1) The frontier included between the pillars No. 1 and

No. 19, and the pillars No. 36 and No. 65, should be

considered as definitely settled. The trigonometrical

points on the portion of the frontier line described

above, and included between pillars No. 19 and No. 36,

are likewise admitted as definitive. The description of

this part of the frontier, as well as that of the part to

the eastward of pillar No. 65, may be completed after the

demarcation. The synopsis of pillars attached to Protocol

No. 15, dated the 1st (13th) September, 1886, is admitted

to be correct and definitive as regards pillars No. 1

to No. 19, and No. 36 to No. 65. It will be completed

subsequently by the synopsis of the pillars from No. 20 to

No. 35, and by that of the pillars to the east of No. 65.

“(2) Leaving pillar No. 19, the frontier shall follow a

straight line up to the summit of the hill marked 2740 on

map No. 1, annexed to the present Protocol. This point,

where pillar No. 20 shall be placed, is known under the

denomination of trigonometrical station of Kara Tepe

(latitude 35° 17′ 49″, longitude 62° 15′ 17″). Farther

on the line shall descend the crest of the hills, being

directed from this point towards the confluence of the

Kushk and the Moghur. Pillar No. 21 shall be placed on a

point of this crest, or of its slope, so as to be seen

from the confluence above-mentioned. A straight line shall

connect No. 21 with No. 22, placed in the valley of the

Kushk on the left bank of the river, 900 feet to the north

of the confluence of the Kushk with the Moghur. Leaving

pillar No. 22, the line shall ascend the thalweg of the

Kushk to pillar No. 23, placed 2700 feet above the head of

the new canal, on the right bank of which the water-supply

is situated about 6000 feet to the N.N.E. of the Ziaret of

Chahil-Dukhter. From pillar No. 23 a straight line shall

be traced to the point marked 2925 on map No. 3 annexed to

the present Protocol (latitude 35° 16′ 53″, longitude 62°

27′ 57″). Whence the frontier shall follow the line of the

water-parting, passing through the following points: The

point 3017 (Bandi Akhamar, latitude 35° 14′ 21″, longitude

62° 35′ 48″, pillar No. 26); the point 3198 (latitude

35° 14′ 20″, longitude 62° 41′ 0″, pillar No. 27); and

the point Kalari 2 (latitude 35° 18′ 21″, longitude 62°

47′ 18″); and shall run on to the point marked No. 29 on

map No. 4 annexed to the present Protocol. The frontier

shall cross the valley of the river Kashan in a straight

line between pillars No. 29 and No. 30 (trigonometrical

station of Tori-Scheikh, latitude 35° 24′ 51″, longitude

62° 59′ 43″, map No. 3), where it meets the line of

the water-parting of the Kashan and the Murghab, shall

pass on to this latter, and shall follow it up to the

trigonometrical station of the Kashan (latitude 35° 38′

13″, longitude 63° 6′ 4″, pillar No. 32). From this station

a straight line shall be traced to a point on the Murghab

(pillar No. 35) situated 700 ft. above the canal-head of

the canal Yaki-Yuz or Yaki-Yangi. Further on the frontier,

descending the thalweg of the Murghab, shall join pillar

No. 36 of the frontier demarcated in 1885-86. To the east

of pillar No. 65 the frontier shall follow the line marked

A B C D on map No. 8 annexed to the present Protocol, the

point A being situated at a distance of 3500 ft. south

of the walls of Tinam Nazar; the point B being near Kara

Tepe Khurd-Kak, which remains to the Afghans; the point C

about midway between the east and west walls of Katabadji;

and lastly, the point D about midway between the wells

Ali Kadim and the wells marked Chahi. The wells of Tinam

Nazar, Kara-Tepe-Khurd, West Katabadji and Ali Kadim remain

outside of Afghan territory. From the point D a straight

line shall be traced as far as the commencement of the

local frontier demarcated between Bosagha and Khamiab,

which shall continue to serve as frontier between the two

villages, with the single reservation that the canals of

Bosagha along all their course, that is to say, as far as

Koinli (point H), shall be included in Russian territory.

In other words, the present demarcation will confirm the

existing rights of the two parties on the banks of the Amu

Daria, that is to say, that the inhabitants of Khamiah

shall retain all their lands and all their pastures,

including those which are east of the local frontier marked

E F G on maps Nos. 9 and 10 annexed to the Protocol. On the

other hand, the inhabitants of Bosagha shall retain the

exclusive enjoyment of their canals as far as Koinli, with

the right of repairing and supplying them, in accordance

with the customs in force in regard to those of Khamiab,

when the waters of Amu Daria are too low to supply directly

the canal-heads of Koinli. The officers who shall be

charged to execute on the spot the provisions of the

present Protocol between the above-named pillars shall be

bound to place a sufficient number of intermediate pillars,

taking advantage for this purpose as much as possible of

the salient points.

“(3) The clause in Protocol No. 4 of the 14th (26th)

December, 1885 prohibiting the Afghans from making use of

the irrigating canals in the Kushk valley below Chahil

Dukhter, which were not in use at that time, remains in

force; but it is understood that this clause can only be

applied to the canals supplied by the Kushk. The Afghans

shall not have the right to make use of the waters of the

Kushk for their agricultural works north of Chahil Dukhter;

but the waters of the Moghur belong exclusively to them,

and they may carry out any works they may think necessary

in order to make use of them.

“(4) The clauses in Protocols No. 4 of the 14th (26th)

December, 1885, and No. 15 of the 1st (13th) September,

1886, relative to the construction of a dam on the Murghab,

remain in force. M. Linoview having expressed the wish

that the obligation imposed on the Amir of Afghanistan

to give up for this purpose a tract of land on the right

bank of the Murghab, under the conditions stipulated in

the said Protocols, should be extended to the whole course

of the river below the canal-head of Yaki-Yuz, Colonel

Ridgeway is of opinion that the necessary steps to obtain

the assent of the Amir might delay the conclusion of the

present arrangement; but he is nevertheless convinced

that the assent of the Amir to this cession, under the

same conditions, of a tract of land on the right bank can

be obtained without difficulty, if later on the Imperial

Government should inform her Britannic Majesty’s Government

of their intention of proceeding to the construction of a

dam above the canal-head of Bendi Nadiri.

“(5) The British Government will communicate without delay

to the Amir of Afghanistan the arrangements herein agreed

upon, and the Imperial Government of Russia will enter

into possession of the territory adjudged to them, by

the present Protocol, from the 1st (13th) October of the

present year.

“(6) The frontier agreed upon shall be locally demarcated

by a mixed Commission according to the signed maps. In case

the work of demarcation should be delayed, the line traced

on the maps shall nevertheless be considered binding by the

two Governments.”

[45] This letter, which is generally referred to as the

letter from the Foreign Secretary, dated July 20,

1880, is known to have been sealed by Mr. Griffin and

delivered by him on July 31, 1880.

[46] “Forty-One Years in India.”--ROBERTS.

APPENDIX V

A.--SUMMER SERVICE OF THE OXUS FLOTILLA

KEY:

B: Number of versts from Charjui to Patta Hissar.

C: Cost of transport of 1 pood of baggage from Charjui.

D: Cost of transport of 1 pood of baggage from Patta Hissar.

E: Number of versts from Patta Hissar.

--------------------------------------------------------

Cost of passage Voyage from Charjui

for passengers to Patta Hissar.

B from Charjui. C

---------------- ---------------------------

1 Cl. 3 Cl. Arrive. Depart.

--------------------------------------------------------

R K R K Kop.

56 1 68 -- 56 5,6 Thur. & Mon. Wed. & Sun.

109 3 27 1 09 10,9 ” ” Thur. & Mon.

126 3 78 1 26 12,6 ” ” ” ”

151 4 53 1 51 15,1 Fri. & Tues. ” ”

212 6 36 2 12 21,2 ” ” Fri. & Tues.

233 6 99 2 33 23,3 ⎫

225 7 65 2 55 25,5 ⎬ Wednesday Wednesday

271 8 13 2 71 27,1 ⎭

303 9 09 3 03 30,3

322½ 9 98 3 33 33,25 Thursday Thursday

358½ 10 76 3 59 35,85 Thursday Thursday

385 11 55 3 85 38,5 ⎫ ⎫

399 11 97 3 99 39,9 ⎬ Friday ⎬ Friday

404 12 12 4 04 40,4 ⎭ ⎭

433 12 99 4 33 43,3

--------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

------------------------------------------------------------------

Voyage from Patta Hissar Cost of passage

Points to Charjui. for passengers

touched at. from Patta D E

Hissar.

---------------------------------------

Arrive. Depart. 1 Cl. 3 Cl.

------------------------------------------------------------------

R K R K Kop.

Charjui ⎫ ⎫ 12 99 4 33 43,3 433

Natizin ⎪ ⎪ 11 31 3 77 37,7 377

Burdalik ⎬ Sat. ⎬ Sat. 9 72 3 24 32,4 324

Polvart ⎪ & Mon. ⎪ & Mon. 9 21 3 07 30,7 307

Bashir ⎪ ⎭ 8 46 2 82 28,2 282

⎧ Karki ⎭ Fri. & Sun. 6 63 2 21 22,1 221

⎨ Kundalem ⎪ ⎫ 6 00 2 00 20,0 200

⎪ Mukri ⎬ Sunday ⎬ Sunday 5 34 1 78 17,8 178

⎩ Ak Kum ⎭ ⎭ 4 86 1 62 16,2 162

Charshangu ⎫ ⎫ 3 90 1 30 13,0 130

Kelif ⎪ ⎪ 3 02 1 01 10,05 100½

Kuyu Kara ⎪ ⎪

Mazar ⎬ Saturday ⎬ Saturday 2 24 - 75 7,45 74½

Chushka-Gisar ⎪ ⎪ 1 44 - 48 4,8 48

Shur Ob ⎭ ⎭ 1 0 - 34 3,4 34

Patta Hissar - 87 - 29 2,9 29

------------------------------------------------------------------

B.--WINTER SERVICE OF THE OXUS FLOTILLA

+-----------------------+-----------------+---------------------+

| Voyage from Charjui | | Voyage from Patta |

| to Patta Hissar. | Points | Hissar Charjui. |

+-----------+-----------+ touched at. +---------------------+

| Arrive. | Depart. | | Arrive. Depart. |

+-----------+-----------+-----------------+----------+----------+

| Monday | Sunday | Charjui | Tuesday | Tuesday |

| Tuesday | Monday | Narizim | Tuesday | Monday |

| Tuesday | Tuesday | Burdalik | Monday | Monday |

| Wednesday | Wednesday | Polvart | Monday | Sunday |

| Friday | Wednesday | Bashir | Sunday | Sunday |

| Friday | Friday | Karki | Sunday | Saturday |

| Saturday | Saturday | Kundalem | Saturday | Saturday |

| Sunday | Saturday | Mukri | Saturday | Saturday |

| Sunday | Sunday | Ak Kum | Friday | Friday |

| Monday | Monday | Charshangu | Friday | Friday |

| Tuesday | Monday | Kelif | Friday | Thursday |

| Tuesday | Tuesday | Kuyu Kara Mazar | Thursday | Thursday |

| Wednesday | Wednesday | Chushka Gisar | Thursday | Thursday |

| Wednesday | Wednesday | Kuyu Shur Ob | Thursday | Thursday |

| Wednesday | Wednesday | Chur Ob | Thursday | Thursday |

| Wednesday | Wednesday | Patta Hissar | Thursday | Thursday |

+-----------+-----------+-----------------+----------+----------+

APPENDIX VI

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM RUSSIA TO KHORASSAN DURING THE PERIOD

MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904, COMPARED WITH 1900-03

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Value. 1903-04.

Articles. ------------------------- -----------

1900-01. 1901-02. 1902-03. Quantity.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £

Animals--

Camels 592 858 8,198 Number 293

Donkeys -- 56 832 ” 47

Horses -- 584 2,901 ” 155

Unspecified -- -- 94 ” 1,626

Animal products, crude -- -- -- Lbs. 232,700

Beer, vinegar, and other

fermented beverages 122 221 319 ” 32,273

Butter and other edible

fats 62 195 967 ” 75,754

Candles 2,283 2,139 2,726 ” 59,898

Carpets 506 348 248 ” 5,018

Chemical products -- -- 299 ” 85,593

Cochineal 385 228 573 ” 34,775

Copper and nickel, in -- -- 85 ” 1,697

sheets, bars, &c.

Copper, brass, and -- -- 355 ” 38,279

nickelwork

Cotton, raw -- -- -- ” 6,045

Drugs 226 1,004 160 ” 15,048

Dyes and varnishes 83 171 165 ” 14,600

Earthenware and crockery 2,343 1,236 1,090 ” 123,507

Fabrics of hemp and

flax 4,746 2,764 3,858 ” 302,310

Fish, fresh and salted 61 69 -- ” 1,528

Flour -- -- 232 ” 55,983

Fruits--

Dried -- -- 620 ” 1,242

Fresh 27 51 -- ” 17,167

Furniture 432 839 1,612 ” 76,174

Glass, mirrors, &c. -- -- 1,077 ” 57,585

Glassware 7,127 4,330 1,591 ” 148,909

Gold and silver work -- -- 22 ” 1

Grain, wheat, and barley 556 849 1,430 ” 408,389

Iron in bars, &c., and

scrap-iron 7,084 5,248 4,671 ” 1,084,090

Iron and steel,

manufactured 4,784 3,308 2,483 ” 225,713

Lead, zinc, and tin in

sheets and ingots -- -- 399 ” 32,474

Leather work -- -- -- ” 4,316

Lemonade and fruit syrups 194 261 147 ” 28,966

Matches 573 5,127 2,005 ” 221,423

Mercery and hardware 1,276 7,786 4,697 ” 25,266

Minerals not specified 98 45 16 ” 3,679

Musical instruments -- -- -- ” 410

Oil--

Petroleum 14,847 14,618 14,375 ” 4,007,985

Other 14 37 248 ” 17,889

Papers and wares thereof 1,123 1,928 1,044 ” 71,189

Printed matter -- -- 110 ” 5,480

Provisions 4 7 2,217 ” 6,819

Rice -- 4,247 3,682 ” 2,329,587

Rope, &c. 87 89 134 ” 8,769

Rubber goods -- -- 5 ” 3,195

Silk, raw 72 332 515 ” 4,830

Skins

Untanned 50 633 921 ” 11,206

Other 1,748 2,074 1,532 ” 23,713

Soap 101 88 187 ” 9,322

Spices -- 448 92 ” 531

Spirits 187 227 469 ” 6,176

Stones, precious and

other -- -- -- ” 2,782

Sugar--

Loaf 107,032 118,422 132,090 ” 12,696,665

Other 19,259 26,203 38,444 ” 4,330,320

Tea 961 925 353 ” 110,949

Thread--

Cotton 222 356 177 ” 8,457

Imitation gold and

silver 1,112 -- -- ” 7,326

Other 449 3,565 610 ” 169

Tissues--

Cotton 70,305 115,799 65,521 ” 1,682,447

Silk 1,498 3,978 997 ” 1,245

Woollen 1,405 2,548 3,361 ” 17,383

Other 476 2,600 -- ” 2,009

Tobacco and cigarettes 2,345 1,794 3,634 ” 54,113

Vehicles 82 410 653 Number 111

Vegetables and vegetable

substances -- -- -- Lbs. 28,048

Watches 139 47 79 Number 83

Wearing apparel 1,145 1,350 842 Lbs. 3,811

Wines 98 127 297 ” 3,211

Wood, manufactured -- 126 44 ” 35,516

Miscellaneous 2,523 752 137 ” 293

------------------------------------------

Total £260,844 £341,447 £316,642 -- --

-------------------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

1903-04.

Articles. -------- Destination of Imports.

Value.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

£

Animals-- Khorassan only, though many of the

Camels 1,806 ⎫ camels go to Azerbaijan.

Donkeys 73 ⎬ Specification of various animals

Horses 649 ⎪ was only kept at Meshed. Those here

Unspecified 6,386 ⎭ entered as “Unspecified” are animals

that entered at Kuchan, and of which

no detail was kept

Animal products, crude 2,926 Khorassan. Chiefly intestines and

some silkworm eggs from France

Beer, vinegar, and other

fermented beverages 360⎫

Butter and other edible ⎬ Khorassan

fats 2,059⎭

Candles 1,836 Khorassan, Seistan, Birjand, Yezd,

Kerman, and Afghanistan

Carpets 618 Khorassan. Chiefly Turkoman carpets

Chemical products 1,086 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand, and

Seistan

Cochineal 1,377 Khorassan and Birjand

Copper and nickel, in 58 Khorassan, Birjand, and Afghanistan

sheets, bars, &c.

Copper, brass, and 2,669 Chiefly brasswork. Goes to Khorassan,

nickelwork Afghanistan, Birjand, Yezd, Kerman,

Seistan, and samovars (tea-urns)

even to India

Cotton, raw 126 Khorassan

Drugs 640 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

and Seistan

Dyes and varnishes 321 Khorassan and Birjand

Earthenware and crockery 3,208⎫

Fabrics of hemp and ⎬ Khorassan, Afghanistan, Seistan,

flax 8,026⎭ Birjand, Yezd, and Kerman

Fish, fresh and salted 45⎫

Flour 317⎬ Khorassan

Fruits-- ⎪

Dried 19⎭

Fresh 162 Khorassan. Lemons, oranges, &c.,

brought from Resht _via_ Russia

Furniture 1,994 Khorassan, Birjand, and Seistan

Glass, mirrors, &c. 732⎬ Khorassan, Birjand, Seistan, and

Glassware 3,520⎭ Afghanistan

Gold and silver work 127⎬ Khorassan

Grain, wheat, and barley 1,888⎭

Iron in bars, &c., and

scrap-iron 7,646⎫

Iron and steel, ⎪

manufactured 5,845⎬ Khorassan, Birjand, Seistan, and

Lead, zinc, and tin in ⎪ Yezd

sheets and ingots 972⎪

Leather work 543⎭

Lemonade and fruit syrups 214 Khorassan

Matches 3,616 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Seistan, Yezd, and Kerman

Mercery and hardware 2,590 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

and Seistan

Minerals not specified 61 Khorassan

Musical instruments 269 Khorassan and Birjand

Oil--

Petroleum 19,619 Afghanistan, Khorassan, Birjand,

Seistan, and Yezd

Other 153 Khorassan

Papers and wares thereof 1,908 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

and Seistan

Printed matter 270⎬ Khorassan

Provisions 120⎭

Rice 22,878 Comes from Resht in Persia _via_

Enzeli and Krasnovodsk to Khorassan,

Afghanistan, Birjand, and Seistan

Rope, &c. 164 Khorassan

Rubber goods 532 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Seistan, Yezd, and Kerman

Silk, raw 1,630 Khorassan and Yezd

Skins

Untanned 585⎫ Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Other 1,186⎬ and Seistan

Soap 352⎭

Spices 40 Khorassan, Birjand, and Seistan

Spirits 245⎫

Stones, precious and ⎬ Khorassan

other 73⎭

Sugar-- ⎫

Loaf 107,978⎬ Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Other 37,694⎭ Seistan, Yezd, and Kerman

Tea 7,937 Largely Indian tea. Khorassan,

Afghanistan, Birjand, and Seistan

Thread--

Cotton 604⎫

Imitation gold and ⎬ Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

silver 1,325⎪ Seistan, Yezd, and Kerman

Other 66⎭

Tissues--

Cotton 122,522⎫

Silk 1,175⎬ Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Woollen 4,175⎪ and Seistan

Other 296⎭

Tobacco and cigarettes 3,120 Khorassan, Afghanistan, Birjand,

Seistan, Yezd, and Kerman

Vehicles 844 Khorassan

Vegetables and vegetable

substances 1,134 Khorassan and Birjand

Watches 146 Khorassan and Afghanistan

Wearing apparel 1,223 Khorassan, Birjand, and Seistan

Wines 95 Khorassan

Wood, manufactured 99 Khorassan and Seistan

Miscellaneous 56

--------

Total £405,028

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX VII

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM KHORASSAN TO RUSSIA DURING THE PERIOD

MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904, COMPARED WITH 1900-03

--------------------------------------------------------

Value.

Articles. ------------------------------

1900-01. 1901-02. 1902-03.

--------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £

Almonds and pistachio

nuts 3,017 1,166 1,639

Animals--

Camels 540 -- 94

Cattle 1,719 7,913 13,702

Donkeys -- -- 19

Horses -- -- 136

Sheep 429 2,008 1,905

Unspecified 2 201 313

Animal products, crude -- -- --

Butter and other edible

fats -- 3 --

Carpets 20,855 15,600 32,958

Charcoal 15 -- 134

Copper-work -- -- 317

Cotton, raw 162,318 74,330 121,906

Drugs 270 212 245

Dyes 2,783 1,918 1,999

Earthenware and crockery 146 61 35

Fodder -- -- 23

Fruits, dried and fresh 5,219 10,281 2,966

Glassware 16 1 40

Gold and silver work -- -- 6

Grain 696 765 2,378

Gums 279 14 151

Gut 233 627 195

Indigo 717 352 241

Iron, manufactured 39 11 580

Mercery and hardware 365 1,823 656

Minerals, not specified 273 418 57

Oils 128 286 89

Opium 36 6,681 2,975

Precious stones 492 595 5,592

Provisions, fresh and

preserved 96 37 302

Raisins 2,948 20,483 37,041

Rope, &c. 6 51 37

Shawls 12,763 16,579 12,833

Silk, raw 361 204 278

Skins--

Untanned 29,006 26,466 18,951

Other 2,270 6,070 3,448

Spices 914 443 240

Sugar--

Loaf -- -- 1,029

Other 326 2,683 71

Tea 25,197 34,062 10,255

Thread--

Cotton 201 340 56

Silk 211 ⎬ 480 ⎨ 425

Wool 10 ⎭ ⎩ 59

Timber 106 38 175

Tissues--

Cotton 15,721 21,110 13,703

Silk 3,540 10,129 11,255

Woollen 291 1,874 2,853

Other 39 199

Tobacco and cigarettes 462 152 181

Vegetables and vegetable

substances -- -- 1,929

Wearing apparel 1,032 372 1,403

Woodwork -- -- --

Wool 62,770 34,498 68,121

Miscellaneous 1,078 3,415 170

------------------------------

Total £359,935 £304,951 £376,166

--------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

-------------------------------------------------------

1903-04.

Articles. ---------------------

Quantity. Value.

-------------------------- ---------------------

£

Almonds and pistachio

nuts -- -- --

Animals--

Camels Number 8 46

Cattle ” 5,764 8,496

Donkeys ” 14 18

Horses ” 43 199

Sheep ” 22,879 8,434

Unspecified ” 8,947 178

Animal products, crude Lbs. 38,590 505

Butter and other edible ” 2,919 114

fats

Carpets ” 66,125 6,233

Charcoal ” 421,512 928

Copper-work ” 1,846 149

Cotton, raw ” 10,839,589 196,081

Drugs ” 4,921 135

Dyes ” 89,245 1,280

Earthenware and crockery ” 1,547 99

Fodder ” 132,392 91

Fruits, dried and fresh ” 10,244,286 54,716[47]

Glassware -- -- --

Gold and silver work Lbs. 2 30

Grain ” 33,365 163

Gums ” 13,462 181

Gut -- -- --

Indigo Lbs. 761 53

Iron, manufactured ” 1,243 73

Mercery and hardware ” 9,438 1,859

Minerals, not specified ” 1,287 74

Oils ” 1,950 24

Opium ” 18,532 8,553

Precious stones ” 1,638 4,597

Provisions, fresh and

preserved ” 15,457 1,245

Raisins -- -- --

Rope, &c. Lbs. 130 4

Shawls ” 45,065 6,134

Silk, raw ” 72,326 5,074

Skins--

Untanned ” 1,841,815 48,164

Other ” 29,029 1,509

Spices ” 32,050 684

Sugar--

Loaf ” 114,862 1,302

Other ” 41,757 293

Tea ” 170,840 11,569

Thread--

Cotton ” 345 21

Silk ” 1,547 561

Wool ” 13,429 218

Timber ” 460,025 320

Tissues--

Cotton ” 142,578 12,615

Silk ” 460,764 28,030

Woollen ” 27,399 5,253

Other

Tobacco and cigarettes Lbs. 559 36

Vegetables and vegetable -- -- --

substances ” 893,009 5,372

Wearing apparel ” 11,025 1,167

Woodwork ” 7,781 154

Wool ” 5,477,771 104,166

Miscellaneous ” 1,378 52

-----------------------------

Total £527,252

-------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Articles. Remarks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Almonds and pistachio

nuts Included in “Fruits, dried”; separate

figures not obtainable

Animals--

Camels

Cattle

Donkeys

Horses

Sheep

Unspecified Poultry, &c.

Animal products, crude

Butter and other edible

fats

Carpets For Constantinople, American, and

European markets

Charcoal Exported chiefly from Sarakhs district

Copper-work Chiefly basins, ewers, and trays

Cotton, raw Some for European, greater part for

Russian, markets

Drugs

Dyes Chiefly henna and a dye made from the

pistachio-tree and used for dyeing

skins

Earthenware and crockery

Fodder

Fruits, dried and fresh

Glassware

Gold and silver work

Grain

Gums

Gut

Indigo Entered as “Animal products, crude”

Iron, manufactured Entirely Indian

Mercery and hardware

Minerals, not specified

Oils

Opium

Precious stones Principally turquoises

Provisions, fresh and

preserved

Raisins Included in “Fruits, dried”; separate

figures not obtainable

Rope, &c.

Shawls Chiefly from Khorassan, some from

Kerman

Silk, raw

Skins--

Untanned

Other

Spices Almost entirely Indian

Sugar--

Loaf

Other

Tea Entirely Indian tea

Thread--

Cotton

Silk

Wool

Timber

Tissues--

Cotton Chiefly turbans. Coarse locally made

cloth

Silk From Khorassan chiefly, but also from

Yezd and Kerman

Woollen

Other

Tobacco and cigarettes

Vegetables and vegetable

substances

Wearing apparel

Woodwork

Wool Largely Afghan wool, _vide_ “Imports

from Afghanistan”

Miscellaneous

Total

----------------------------------------------------------------

[47] Chiefly raisins.

APPENDIX VIII

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM AFGHANISTAN TO KHORASSAN AND SEISTAN DURING

THE PERIOD MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904, COMPARED WITH 1900-03

-------------------------------------------------

Value.

Articles. ------------------------

1900-01.1901-02.1902-03.

-----------------------------------------------

£ £ £

Almonds and pistachio

nuts 404 3,297 1,479

Animal products, crude 22 68 25

Butter and other fats 2,070 14,100 6,486

Camels -- 188 351

Carpets 1,291 1,091 2,524

Cattle -- 357 --

Cotton, raw 18 388 358

Drugs 1,759 741 1,189

Fruits, fresh and dried 16 171 15

Grain 594 889 671

Gum 5 -- 21

Horses -- 33 1,116

Indigo 77 161 231

Iron, manufactured -- -- 17

Leather work -- -- --

Mercery and hardware 229 819 391

Oils 47 118 --

Opium 682 865 197

Packing materials 164 630 1,015

Provisions -- 436 650

Raisins 1 440 201

Rice 5,791 5,737 2,426

Rope -- 43 24

Sheep -- 2,039 12,223

Skins--

Tanned 3,493 1,635 8,638

Untanned 1,548 1,640 7,526

Spices 24 1,347 305

Thread 62 113 702

Tissues 1,062 1,703 774

Tobacco 230 307 174

Wearing apparel 781 1,184 1,120

Wool 11,245 29,156 45,113

Miscellaneous 37 420 156

------------------------

Total £31,652 £69,759 £96,475

-----------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

-------------------------------------------------

1903-04.

Articles. -------------------

Quantity. Value.

------------------------------------------------

£

Almonds and pistachio

nuts -- -- --

Animal products, crude -- -- --

Butter and other fats Lbs. 38,318 1,231

Camels -- -- --

Carpets Lbs. 18,857 1,285

Cattle -- -- --

Cotton, raw Lbs. 57,779 1,061

Drugs ” 78,072 1,742

Fruits, fresh and dried ” 69,999 607

Grain ” 4,355 56

Gum ” 131 7

Horses -- -- --

Indigo Lbs. 6,747 720

Iron, manufactured ” 3,419 58

Leather work ” 208 58

Mercery and hardware ” 2,399 400

Oils -- -- --

Opium Lbs. 104 46

Packing materials -- -- --

Provisions Lbs. 28,756 285

Raisins -- -- --

Rice Lbs. 74,302 731

Rope -- -- --

Sheep Number 8,388 2,048

Skins--

Tanned Lbs. 11,363 833

Untanned ” 324,617 8,235

Spices ” 87,126 1,060

Thread ” 2,783 380

Tissues ” 6,815 271

Tobacco ” 1,762 22

Wearing apparel ” 1,534 275

Wool ” 3,240,692 90,366

Miscellaneous ” 80 3

-------------------------

Total £111,780

------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

-------------------------------------------------------------

Articles. Remarks.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Almonds and pistachio

nuts Included in “Fruits, dried”; separate

figures not obtainable

Animal products, crude

Butter and other fats Decrease of importation in 1903-1904,

due to mortality among the sheep

owing to drought

Camels

Carpets

Cattle

Cotton, raw Re-exported to Russia

Drugs Partly Indian

Fruits, fresh and dried

Grain

Gum

Horses

Indigo This is entirely indigo come through

Afghanistan from India

Iron, manufactured

Leather work

Mercery and hardware

Oils

Opium Decrease due to heavy increase of

duty under new tariff

Packing materials These are woollen sacks for packing

wool, &c.

Provisions

Raisins Included in “Fruits, dried”

Rice

Rope

Sheep Decrease due to mortality among the

sheep

Skins--

Tanned These are chiefly postins (sheep-skin

coats)

Untanned Large part re-exported to Russia

Spices Come chiefly from India

Thread

Tissues

Tobacco

Wearing apparel

Wool Re-exported to Russia, and to United

Kingdom and America _via_ Russia

Miscellaneous

Total

-------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX IX

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM KHORASSAN AND SEISTAN TO AFGHANISTAN

DURING THE PERIOD MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904, COMPARED WITH

1900-03

-------------------------------------------------------

Value.

Articles. ------------------------------

1900-01. 1901-02. 1902-03.

-------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £

Animal products, crude -- --

Camels -- -- 120

Candles 50 32 139

Carpets -- -- 28

Cattle -- -- --

Chemicals -- -- 67

Copper in bars -- -- 2

” work -- -- 125

Drugs 39 120 158

Dyes 5 298 205

Earthenware and crockery 71 27 197

Fruits, fresh and dried 36 23 145

Glass, mirrors, &c. -- -- 166

Glassware 102 2 170

Gold and silver work -- -- 39

Grain 1 -- 2

Hardware 248 51 1,324

Horses -- -- 19

Indigo 72 71 572

Iron in sheets, &c. 260 152 38

” and steel,

manufactured 108 128 101

Leather-work -- -- --

Oil--

Petroleum 31 27 428

Other -- -- 273

Paper 10 106 102

Provisions -- -- 162

Sheep -- 2 4

Silk, raw 66 -- 96

Skins--

Furs -- -- --

Tanned and untanned 100 180 54

Spices 255 524 801

Sugar--

Loaf 3,747 -- 4,925

Other 1,982 450 2,600

Tea 1,155 802 1,898

Thread--

Cotton -- 144 266

Imitation gold and ⎫ ⎧

silver -- ⎬ 601 ⎨ 9

Silk 42 ⎭ ⎩ 2,547

Tin and lead in ingots -- -- 51

Tissues--

Cotton 9,588 12,713 24,550

Silk -- 622 1,865

Woollen 5,102 336 97

Turquoises -- -- --

Vegetables -- -- --

Vehicles -- -- 24

Wearing apparel 2 162 94

Wood, manufactured -- 4 63

Miscellaneous 215 204 129

------------------------------

Total 23,287 18,245 44,655

-------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

------------------------------------------------------

1903-04.

Articles. ---------------------

Quantity. Value.

-----------------------------------------------------

£

Animal products, crude Lbs. 12,670 196

Camels Number 7 43

Candles Lbs. 4,713 154

Carpets ” 12,428 989

Cattle Number 8 15

Chemicals Lbs. 2,425 52

Copper in bars ” 1,950 27 ⎫

” work ” 9,562 475 ⎭

Drugs ” 12,883 228

Dyes ” 3,003 27

Earthenware and crockery ” 3,081 96

Fruits, fresh and dried ” 24,649 192

Glass, mirrors, &c. ” 2,340 40 ⎫

Glassware ” 11,213 364 ⎭

Gold and silver work ” 5 34

Grain ” 14,359 73

Hardware ” 17,986 1,248

Horses Number 34 115

Indigo -- -- --

Iron in sheets, &c. Lbs. 28,900 229 ⎫

” and steel, ⎬

manufactured ” 5,259 151 ⎭

Leather-work ” 1,287 120

Oil--

Petroleum ” 137,163 818

Other ” 3,553 87

Paper ” 780 15

Provisions ” 1,346 8

Sheep Number 1,067 195

Silk, raw Lbs. 2,977 1,580

Skins--

Furs ” 13 33

Tanned and untanned ” 1,742 91

Spices ” 20,753 602

Sugar--

Loaf ” 615,180 7,743 ⎫

Other ” 357,494 4,751 ⎭

Tea ” 1,112 88

Thread--

Cotton ” 3,458 182

Imitation gold and

silver ” 533 115

Silk ” 423 175

Tin and lead in ingots ” 2,301 192

Tissues--

Cotton ” 387,777 29,792

Silk ” 9,065 4,635

Woollen ” 17,108 2,843

Turquoises ” 384 591

Vegetables ” 4,589 117

Vehicles Number 2 84

Wearing apparel Lbs. 2,460 221

Wood, manufactured ” 1,755 37

Miscellaneous ” 468 40

---------------------------

Total -- -- 59,903

----------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

----------------------------------------------------------------

Articles. Remarks.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Animal products, crude

Camels

Candles Entirely Russian candles

Carpets

Cattle

Chemicals

Copper in bars ⎬ Comes from Russia and is made into

” work ⎭ trays, water vessels, &c., in

Khorassanand exported to Afghanistan

Drugs

Dyes

Earthenware and crockery Comes from Russia

Fruits, fresh and dried

Glass, mirrors, &c. ⎬ Comes entirely from Russia

Glassware ⎭

Gold and silver work

Grain

Hardware Lamps, boxes in wood and metal,

needles, &c., buttons and beads;

mostly from Russia

Horses

Indigo Indian. Export ceased owing to heavy

customs duty in Persia

Iron in sheets, &c. ⎫

” and steel, ⎬ Comes entirely from Russia

manufactured ⎭

Leather-work Both Russian and Indian

Oil--

Petroleum Entirely from Russia

Other

Paper Chiefly Russian

Provisions Butter, flour, and salt

Sheep

Silk, raw

Skins--

Furs

Tanned and untanned

Spices Almost entirely from India

Sugar--

Loaf ⎬ Entirely Russian

Other ⎭

Tea Indian green tea

Thread--

Cotton

Imitation gold and

silver

Silk

Tin and lead in ingots Russian

Tissues--

Cotton Chiefly Russian

Silk ” Persian

Woollen

Turquoises

Vegetables

Vehicles Two Russian carriages exported for

Commander-in-Chief, Herat

Wearing apparel

Wood, manufactured

Miscellaneous

Total

----------------------------------------------------------------

APPENDIX X

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM INDIA TO KHORASSAN _VIA_ THE

SEISTAN ROUTE DURING THE PERIOD MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Value. 1903-04.

--------------------------------------------

Articles. Khorassan and Seistan. Khorassan only.

--------------------------------------------

1900-01.1901-02.1902-03. Quantity. Value.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £ Lbs. £

Camels -- -- 246 -- --

Candles -- 115 19 -- --

Drugs 9 150 45 -- --

Dyes -- 32 21 -- --

Earthenware and crockery -- 83 35 1,750 37

Fruits, dried 2 -- 389 -- --

Glassware -- 1,508 34 -- --

Indigo 1,825 8,226 3,575 47,097 5,531

Iron and brass in bars

and sheets -- 96 3 1,120 64[48]

Leather work -- -- -- 3,250 409

Machinery -- -- 121 -- --

Mercery, &c. -- 2,487 840 3,350 2 9[49]

Provisions, preserved -- 113 69 -- --

Rice -- -- 102 -- --

Skins 89 195 721 10,925 1,463[50]

Spices -- 556 183 7,345 236

Sugar -- 64 131 -- --

Tea -- 9,011 434 79,579 4,134[51]

Thread (cotton) and yarn -- 2 101 6,500 818

Tissues--

Cotton -- 4,427 3,281 -- --

Silk -- 155 -- -- --

Woollen -- 206 109 -- --

Tobacco -- 83 109 840 74[52]

Wearing apparel -- 245 464 -- --

Wines -- -- -- 728 49

Miscellaneous -- 148 71 227 26

--------------------------------------------

Total £1,925 £27,902 £11,103 £13,060

---------------------------------------------------------------------

[48] Entirely brass sheets used for manufacturing tea-urns.

[49] Chiefly palm-leaf fans.

[50] Largely fox-skins, which are mostly re-exported to

Russia.

[51] Of this, £517 worth was green tea and the rest black.

[52] Entirely snuff.

APPENDIX XI

RETURN OF ARTICLES EXPORTED FROM KHORASSAN TO INDIA _VIA_ THE

SEISTAN ROUTE DURING THE PERIOD MARCH 21, 1903, TO MARCH 20, 1904

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Value. 1903-04.

------------------------ -------------------

Articles. Khorassan and Seistan. Khorassan only.

------------------------ -------------------

1900-01.1901-02.1902-03. Quantity. Value.

------------------------------------------- -------------------

£ £ £ Lbs. £

Almonds and

pistachio nuts 261 44 37 ” 87,750 1,039[53]

Butter (_ghi_) -- 1,039 -- ” -- --

Carpets -- 134 273 ” -- --

Copper, brass, and

nickel work -- -- -- ” [54] 10

(tea-urns)

Drugs 153 507 316 ” -- --

Earthenware and

crockery -- -- 32 ” 700 94

Fruits, dried -- 62 8 ” 10,400 87[55]

Grain -- -- 179 ” -- --

Horses 862 2,493 3,631 Number 192 1,792

Mules 338 162 -- ” -- --

Silk, raw -- -- -- Lbs. 312 218

Skins, untanned -- -- 429 ” -- --

Tissues--

Cotton 50 -- 55 ” -- --

Silk 1,255 2,046 7,336 ” 7,598 3,658

Woollen -- 2 106 ” -- --

Turquoises -- -- ” 180 326

Miscellaneous -- 179 32 ” -- 32

-------------------------------------------------

Total £2,919 £6,668 £12,434 £7,256

--------------------------------------------------------------------

[53] Almonds only.

[54] Not stated.

[55] Plums.

APPENDIX XII

TRADE VALUE OF THE SEISTAN ROUTE COMPARED WITH COMPETING ROUTES

------------------------------------------------------------

By the--

-------------------------------------------------

Year. Quetta-Seistan Route. Bunder Abbas Route.

-------------------------------------------------

Imports. Exports. Total. Imports. Exports. Total.

------------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £ £ £ £

1900-01[56] 1,925 2,919 4,844 [57] [57] --

1901-02[56] 27,902 6,668 34,570 85,813 [57] --

1902-03[56] 11,103 12,434 23,537 108,319 [57] --

1903-04[58] 13,060 7,256 20,316 80,261 38,165 118,426

------------------------------------------------------------

[TN: Table continues]

--------------------------------------------------------------

By the--

----------------------------------------------------

Year. Trebizond-Tabriz-Teheran Baghdad-Kermanshah-Teheran

Route. Route.

----------------------------------------------------

Imports. Exports. Imports. Exports.

--------------------------------------------------------------

£ £ £ £

1900-01[56] [57] [57] [57] [57]

1901-02[56] 18,060 -- [57] [57]

1902-03[56] -- -- [57] [57]

1903-04[58] 21,780 -- 20,800 --

--------------------------------------------------------------

[56] For Khorassan and Seistan.

[57] Not recorded.

[58] For Khorassan only.

APPENDIX XIII

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM

AND JAPAN

_Signed at London, August 12, 1905_

PREAMBLE.

The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, being desirous of replacing

the Agreement concluded between them on January 30, 1902, by fresh

stipulations, have agreed upon the following Articles, which have for

their object--

(_a_) The consolidation and maintenance of the general peace in the

regions of Eastern Asia and of India;

(_b_) The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China

by ensuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire and

the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of

all nations in China;

(_c_) The maintenance of the territorial rights of the High Contracting

Parties in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of

their special interests in the said regions:--

ARTICLE I.

It is agreed that whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or

Japan, any of the rights and interests referred to in the preamble of

this Agreement are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate

with one another fully and frankly, and will consider in common the

measures which should be taken to safeguard those menaced rights or

interests.

ARTICLE II.

If by reason of unprovoked attack or aggressive action, wherever

arising, on the part of any other Power or Powers either Contracting

Party should be involved in war in defence of its territorial rights

or special interests mentioned in the preamble of this Agreement, the

other Contracting Party will at once come to the assistance of its

ally, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual

agreement with it.

ARTICLE III.

Japan possessing paramount political, military, and economic interests

in Korea, Great Britain recognises the right of Japan to take such

measures of guidance, control, and protection in Korea as she may deem

proper and necessary to safeguard and advance those interests, provided

always that such measures are not contrary to the principle of equal

opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations.

ARTICLE IV.

Great Britain having a special interest in all that concerns the

security of the Indian frontier, Japan recognises her right to take

such measures in the proximity of that frontier as she may find

necessary for safeguarding her Indian possessions.

ARTICLE V.

The High Contracting Parties agree that neither of them will, without

consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements with another

Power to the prejudice of the objects described in the preamble of this

Agreement.

ARTICLE VI.

As regards the present war between Japan and Russia, Great Britain

will continue to maintain strict neutrality unless some other Power or

Powers should join in hostilities against Japan, in which case Great

Britain will come to the assistance of Japan, and will conduct the war

in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with Japan.

ARTICLE VII.

The conditions under which armed assistance shall be afforded by either

Power to the other in the circumstances mentioned in the present

Agreement, and the means by which such assistance is to be made

available, will be arranged by the Naval and Military authorities of

the Contracting Parties, who will from time to time consult one another

fully and freely upon all questions of mutual interest.

ARTICLE VIII.

The present Agreement shall, subject to the provisions of Article VI.,

come into effect immediately after the date of its signature, and

remain in force for ten years from that date.

In case neither of the High Contracting Parties should have notified

twelve months before the expiration of the said ten years the intention

of terminating it, it shall remain binding until the expiration of one

year from the day on which either of the High Contracting parties shall

have denounced it. But if, when the date fixed for its expiration

arrives, either ally is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall,

_ipso facto_, continue until peace is concluded.

In faith whereof the Undersigned, duly authorised by their respective

Governments, have signed this Agreement and have affixed thereto their

Seals.

Done in duplicate at London, the 12th day of August, 1905.

LANSDOWNE.

(L.S.) TADASU HAYASHI.

APPENDIX XIV

CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF AFGHAN HISTORY

1747.--Nadir Shah, a Turcoman bandit, conquers Persia with an army

composed largely of Afghans. Sacks Delhi and is assassinated in camp on

return from India.

Sirdar Ahmed Khan, an Afghan cavalry general of the Saddozai section

of the Abdali Afghans, seizes the treasure near Kandahar and has

himself crowned king of the Durani with the title of Ahmed Shah, Duri

Duran. With Ahmed commences history of Afghan nation as an independent

kingdom. He builds Kandahar shortly afterwards, calling it Ahmed

Shahior Ahmed Shahr. (These events occur about 1747.) Ahmed Shah reigns

twenty-six years. He replenishes his treasuries by frequent invasions

of India. He is succeeded by his son Timour Shah.

1773.--Timour Shah’s succession to the throne. He removes the seat of

government from Kandahar to Kabul. He reigns twenty years and dies

1793, leaving three sons:

(1) Zaman Shah, who reigns four years, living chiefly at Peshawar. He

is deposed by his half-brother, Mahommed, and blinded as retaliation

for having caused to be executed Wazir Surfaraz Khan Barakzai (called

Paindah Khan).

(2) Mahommed, who is attacked and imprisoned by

(3) Shah Shujah, full brother of Zaman Shah. He ascends the throne of

Kabul, but lives principally at Peshawar.