The Perso-Afghan Boundary.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12975, 30 September 1905, Page 2

The Perso-Afghan Boundary.

COMMISSION'S' WORK CONCLUDED., A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING. United Press Association. — By Klecirk Telegraph . — Copyright . London, September 29. Thef British Commission, appointed in 1903, under the leadership of Colonel McMahon, to arrange the boundary disputes wh'ch. had arisen between Persian Seistan and Afghan Seistan, ow;ng to the constantly changing bed of the River Helmand, has completed its labours. The narrative of tho mission is palpitating with interest, b The Afghans were friendly emd helpfc ful, but, owing , to the Serengeh and ■J Russian interference and' intrigue, misrepresenting the object of the mission, considerable delay) and obstruction j from the Persian Seistan were experienced at thq outset. Anti-British j riots were organised, but failed. Flogging the ringleaders, including the ma-, » jority of the Russian agents, astonishand impressed the Persians; aad ) the work was continued through a series of perils and priyationsy owing to the heat and cold, waterless deserts in the south, and marshes, inundations^ ,and / .b^i?iz^rds in the north. The ' native escort lost eight men through heat and thirst, four by drowning, three by frost, one by hydrophobia, and thirty-four by disease. Forty-nine camels and 120 horsus succumbed ; 48 camels by hydrophobia, due to mad wolves' attacks and mad jackals, which abounded. The award, which was accepted by 1 botty sides, over-ruled the Afghan claim to a new and more westerly bed of the Helmand, f.nd J confirming the Goldsmid line, which recognised the old bed as-the- -frontier, in accordance ■with the Persian contention. ,The boundary is fixed to continue irrespec r tive of clanges of the river. Mis-statements regarding the awardappeared in the Persian newspapers. Renter says that thanks to Colonel McMahon's tact, and determination, the Russian and British positions of influence over the Seistan were revers- • ed, and the impartiality of *>he award proved a blow to Russian prestige. The Russian Consul has withdrawn, failing to frustrate the mission.