HC Deb 09 July 1883 vol 281 cc771-2
BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true, as stated in a telegram from Teheran, dated 3rd July, that a Treaty has been concluded between Persia and Russia in regard to the north-eastern frontier of Persia, and that, according to the wording of that Treaty, Merv is to be considered Russian territory, and, in the event of England or any other Power protesting against the Treaty, Persia is to refer them to Russia; if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will lay any information it may have received on the subject upon the Table of the House?

MR. E. STANHOPE

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that a Treaty has been concluded, or that negotiations for a Treaty are in progress, between Russia and Persia relating to the frontier of Persia; whether Her Majesty's Government has addressed any remonstrance on the subject to the Government of Russia; and, if so, with what result; and, whether he will lay upon the Table any Correspondence that may have taken place upon the subject?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, in reply to these Questions, I may state that a Treaty was concluded in December, 1881, between Russia and Persia, with the purpose of "accurately defining the frontier of their possessions east of the Caspian Sea." That Treaty, which has been presented to Parliament (C. Asia, No. 1, 1882) defined the frontier up to the neighbourhood of Baba Durmez. Her Majesty's Government have not received any information of the conclusion of a further Treaty between Russia and Persia.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

the Question I have asked is, whether Merv is to be considered Russian territory?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

We have received no information as to that.

MR. E. STANHOPE

But will the noble Lord answer that part of my Question as to whether Her Majesty's Government has addressed any remonstrance on the subject?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

As Her Majesty's Government have received no information as regards the Treaty, Her Majesty's Government are clearly not in a position to make any remonstrances.