Office of the Historian

Mr. Riddle to Mr. Hay.

Embassy of the United States,
St. Petersburg, July 30, 1902.
No. 592.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for the information of future travelers, copy and translation of a note from the minister for foreign affairs, announcing that special permission is no longer required to travel on the Trans-Caspian Railway.

I have, etc.,

J. W. Riddle,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Count Lamsdorff to Mr. Riddle.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
First Department, July 15 (28), 1902.
No. 3843.]

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: In reply to your note of the 1st (14th) July, I have the honor to inform you that foreigners desiring to visit our possessions in Central Asia are no longer obliged to obtain special permission, and that travelers may, in consequence, freely sojourn in those regions, with the exception of the towns of Koushk, Termez, and Kerki, and the custom-house stations situated on the Amu Daria above Kerki.

Tchikichliar, Tchatly, the military posts on the Atrek and on the line from Koushk to Ak-rabat, as well as the railway from Merv to Koushk, are likewise closed to travelers.

I take this occasion, etc.,

Count Lamsdorff.