Page 368 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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a ggrcssion and encroachment by the same, or any of the same powers involving no stronger
claim upon our ‘interference than direct and open warfare. Moreover, the results with which
we have to do arc those of a state of things in which wo could not legitimately have exercised
interference at any time. At the present moment the ease is different. Kclat is our close
ally. Though not bound by existing Treaty to protect her frontier by force, we havo treated
with her ns an independent State, ,lo protect our Telegraph up to a certain point within her
limits, and there is now a legitimate opening for taking exception at any unauthorized
aggression from without, upon such boundary line. Our ease, it is deferentially submitted,
wants but a ratified agreement between tho powers concerned, to make remonstrance not only
legal but compulsory.
« In an interesting paper on Kclat affairs, prepared by the son of the late Darogha Gul
Mahomed, and translated by Captain Dickinson about two years ago, ^ I find it mentioned
that a special Envoy from the Shah of Persia had come to Nussir Khan of Kclat to settle
a question of the western boundary of that province. It was then represented that Persia
had no claims to Kej and Mckran, but to Miuab, which having been captured by the Khan
would havo to bo abandoned. The boundary was then defined to bo from Kej to Chedar
on the 6ea coast. It is also asserted that there is a well at Chedar Malik with the inscription
recording the limits. From other evidence on this point, I fear that the inscription, if found
at all, will only mark tho boundary of Mckran, without reference to the rights of this or
that Sovereign. At the same time it is just possible there may be some record on the
subject in tho Kclat Dufter. Of treaties I am not sanguine that any exist, nor do I feel
warranted in delaying this report to communicate with those officers who are cither already
acquainted, or could readily become acquainted with the subject.
“Though not called upon to pass any opinions on the disposal of the Mckran boundary
question, I would most respectfully submit to the notice of His Excellency the Governor in
Council that the occurrences of the two last
• Durban were hold in my tent, Jlit* most years have greatly strengthened the arguments
^ in <* »y »»«
»i wanting to ifeure a satisfactory ariangeinent -Report on the route from Karachi to
was a well-defined western boundary of tho Gwadur, dated 22nd February 1862;* and not
Kelat State, sueh as now acknowledged to bo the least forcibe of all the arguments adducible
"if “rt --twi-f BU-Hteta,-. iu pressing this point would be the expressed
hhoda Dad Khan, tho bouudary, in fact, of • \ c n -n >«• • , e r, • re •
Western Mokran. wish °f Persian Munster for Foreign Affairs
This boundary, so far as tbo question has on discussing the Herat question. The principal
bicome intelligible to me in its detail, is very object we have in view in those discussions is
nearly defined by tbo tract of country called the the SCCUrity of our frontier in K horasan, Kerman,
Bolnchistan, »d Seistan, With the Minister
erly independent possessions of the Khan of in such humour, no time would seem better
Kclat in Kej. A line drawn from the northern adapted to treat with him on the Mekran boun-
frontier, east of Jalk, Bibb, Kussurknnd, and such dary, and we might honestly respond to the above
frriU ^ c°"finine °ur *»
..aboard east of Gwadur, would not only secure the points on which we oversclves are especially
to our ally the hitherto unknown advantages of interested. I hope to be acquitted of presumption
a recognized frontier, but It would, moreover, in making even allusion to a point of Foreign
give that security to our own telegraphic scheme, Office diplomacy, but the ' terra incognita' ot
whiohthe exuting status does not promise. In -n i i • *. • ir e
*geaenlpoliticilaenee the metier U os. of the Baluchistan, however unimportant in a Map of
greatest moment. the World, becomes full of life and meaning when
viewed from Western India.
“ Government have done me the honour to put to me a question of great importance.
I have not the data to make a satisfactory reply, nor do I feel authorized to make, and await the
references which alone could enable me to do 60. Mahomed Ali and Din Mahomed of Baho,
Abdul Bahman of Jeoni, Mir Abdullah of Geh, and others have yet to tell their talc. The
first two, it may be noted, are Judgalsof the same Bemma family as the Jam of Bela, our
immediate neighbour. My humble opinion on the subject, with the data available, may be
briefly summarized in the following paragraph
“ ‘Persia has, of late years, encroached upon territory of which, though her sovereign rights
arc questionable, her claim to possession is fully equal to that of any Government stronger than
that of the petty Chiefs themselves whom she subjugates. Any interference from without to
stop her career, if admissible under the laws and lawful practice of nations, should have been
exercised long since; but she Las now reached a point vital, as it were, to British India, and
should be checked at the first good opportunity. Necessity for protecting our Telegraphs;
Persia's own wish expressed U) our Minister at her Court for adjustment of boundary ; the
acknowledgment of Kelat as an independent State allied to England, all these circumstances
show that the present time is most opportune to decide on a line of boundary for Western
MekraD. The Dusbt Kbor seems to offer an appropriate starting point from tbo sea side.
From hence a line might be run towards Seistan, eastward of which Persia's interference might
be held infraction of Treaty. A line of road within the Kelat territory opening out the Herat
trade with Gwadur, a port in the same longitude as Herat, should, I submit, be a consideration
for Boundary Commissioners on the part of Great Britain. As to Kclat, her claim to any
portion of Western Mekran, hitherto unaffected by late Persian aggression, is based, as n