§ SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the political complications which have resulted from the adoption of unknown and undefined boundaries in the cases of Nova Scotia and Origon, he would take steps at once, in conjunction with the Governments of St. Petersburg and Cabul, formally to define the limits of the Afghan States by actual survey and examination; and to cause such survey to result in a map, and topographical description of the line, as it may be finally ascertained and agreed on, which may be referred to should difficulty arise at any future time?
MR. GLADSTONEIf there were likely to be any difficulty in the case to which the Question of the hon. and gallant Baronet refers—which, as at present advised, I do not believe—I am afraid that it would not be easy to bring about a joint triangular survey of the limits of the Afghan States, between Russia, England, and Cabul. But I will also point out to the hon. and gallant Baronet that really when we speak of Central Asia, and deal with land boundaries, it is hardly possible to expect that definitiveness of territorial limitation which we should be able to attain in civilized countries. I have heard the argument seriously urged, that where Abraham erected an altar it was perfect proof that he possessed landed property. But I do not think you can make an argument of that kind serve with respect to Central Asia. I should doubt very much whether, in the whole of Central Asia, the hon. and gallant Baronet could discover any accurately drawn land boundaries; and any attempt to do what is not agreeable to the usages and customs of the people would not be likely to succeed. So far as this case is concerned, we believe that the whole question for every practical purpose is settled by the fact that the boundary is a river boundary. What boundary that is, or whether it has been rightly or wrongly taken, is another matter, and one into which I cannot now enter; but that is the belief which we entertain, and consequently no difficulty whatever is likely to arise.