Abstract: This file begins with draft instructions, under the heading 'Anglo-Russian Relations', apparently written by John Morley, Secretary of State for India, for Sir Arthur Nicolson, British Ambassador at St Petersburg, in advance of negotiations over an Anglo-Russian agreement.The instructions are divided into two sections, 'Persia' and 'Afghanistan', and they concern Britain's and Russia's respective interests in Persia and Afghanistan. The instructions outline important points on which Nicolson is expected to base any future agreement with Russia (of which a fundamental requirement is Russia's recognition both of the independence and integrity of Persia, and of the territorial integrity of Afghanistan). The remaining instructions relate to issues of trade in Persia and Afghanistan.The draft instructions are followed by an extract from a private letter from Lord Minto [Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynynmound], Viceroy and Governor-General of India, to John Morley, dated 12 June 1906.In the letter, Lord Minto responds to Morley's draft instructions for Sir Arthur Nicolson. Minto gives his opinions on the wording and possible implications of each paragraph of the draft instructions. Most of Minto's letter details his opposition to the idea that Great Britain and Russia should agree not to extend their railways in the direction of the frontiers of Afghanistan for the next ten years, for which Minto offers a number of political and military considerations.Minto's letter is followed by a letter from Lord Kitchener [Horatio Herbert Kitchener] to Lord Minto, dated 23 May 1906, in which Kitchener responds to Minto's letter of 19 May 1906, which requested Kitchener's opinion on the question of the Frontier railways. In his letter, Kitchener argues that the possibility of extending the British railway system is not only of great strategic importance for the defence of British India, but is also important for maintaining friendly relations with the Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan [Habibullah Khan].Kitchener's letter is followed by two loose folios which repeat word for word the aforementioned draft instructions on Afghanistan and Persia (folios 8 and 9 respectively). Both sets of instructions have the heading 'Secret'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio, and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The memorandum concerns Persia's northern frontier with Russian Turkestan along the Attrek [Atrek] River valley. It outlines Russian activities in the region (e.g. troop movements, fort construction, and meetings with local chieftains), along with British and Persian diplomatic responses to these activities; this includes British efforts to prevent Persia from ceding the region to Russian control. It covers British suspicions that the Russians are encroaching on Persia's northern border, and attempting to draw the local Turkoman tribes away from their relations with Persia.The memorandum is illustrated with a number of map sketches, which show a number of different interpretations of the Persian-Russian frontier:Captain George Campbell Napier's Map 1876. Denoting supposed Persian border line (f 116);Arrowsmith Map. 1834 (f 117r);Zimmerman's Map. 1841 (f 117v);Vambery's Map 1863 (f 117v);Russian Map 1863 (f 119r);Arrowsmith Map 1872 (f 119v);Walker's Turkestan. 1873 (f 120r);Russian Map 1873 (f 122r);Kiepert's Turkestan 1876 (f 135v).The memorandum includes a number of brief insertions in French; these insertions consist of recollections from diplomatic conversations, which have occurred in relation to Persia's northern frontier.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 113, and terminates at f 137, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.