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206 206 ENGLAND AND RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA. Erzeroum in May 1847, and two years afterwards a Commission, with one representative from each of the four Powers interested, was appointed to define a frontier for the two States. The task was a very complicated one, and the Crimean war threw considerable obstacles in the way of accomplishing a satisfactory result, but at last the Commission gave some proof of its work by issuing maps of the border districts. With that act its labours ceased for the time, as the representatives of England and Russia decided that their functions were exhausted with the definition of the country through which the frontier line should pass. In 1869 the Turkish and Persian Commissioners agreed that the status quo should be maintained until a definite solution had been arrived at; but in 1871 the old troubles revived, and a Commission from the four Powers met at Constantinople to decide what could be done in the matter. Difficulties were, however, raised in the path of a settlement by the representative of Persia, and the sittings of the Commission were suspended. In 1875 a convention was agreed upon between Persia and Turkey defining the position of their subjects when in the neighbouring State, but nothing more was said about the frontier question. The international Commission still exists, however, and Lord Derby said, in 1877, that it was only awaiting a favourable opportunity for the resumption of its task. After a discussion extending over more than half a century, it may be doubted whether this frontier dispute admits of satisfactory solution under anything like present circumstances. It is undoubtedly a mis-