DR. RUTHERFORD (Middlesex, Brentford)I beg to ask the Secretary 100 of State for Foreign Affairs whether Colonel Liakhoff, who led the Cossacks in the destruction of the Parliament buildings, has just been exhorting his Cossacks to destroy the constitution and win the loot of Tabris; and whether in view of the fact that the honour of Great Britain is involved by reason of the Anglo-Russian Convention, he proposes to take any steps in the matter.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickI do not follow the argument of the last part of the Question; and I cannot see that any obligation rests upon us in consequence of the Convention to interfere in the internal affairs of Persia. But, in any case, as I have received no information which leads me to think that there is any probability of Colonel Liakhoff's having made any such statement, and as I do not credit the report of it, it does not seem necessary for any one to take any steps.
DR. RUTHERFORDasked whether in view of the fact that Colonel Liakhoff destroyed the Parliamentary buildings his retention of the position of adviser to the Shah was consistent with the dignity of the latter.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYFor whatever action Colonel Liakhoff took in the summer responsibility rests between him and the Shah. I do not see that any responsibility rests upon any outside Power.
§ MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W.R., Ripon)Is it not a fact that Colonel Liakhoff is an officer in the active service of Russi
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe hon. Member has asked that Question very often before.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYYes, the hon. Member asked it in the summer. Colonel Laikhoff is under the orders of the Shah and not of the Russian Government.