§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there had been any movement of the Russian troops at Kazvin in the direction of Tehran; if so, could he state the reason for such movement, and if it was due to the outbreak of an epidemic in Kazvin; and whether he was aware of any reason why these troops should not now be withdrawn altogether or marched to a position nearer their point of embarkation on the Caspian?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)There is no forward movement on Tehran, but I understand that the Russian troops at Kazvin have been transferred to a camp some eight miles outside the town, in the direction of Tehran, which is about 80 1070 miles distant from Kazvin. This step is believed to have been taken for purely sanitary reasons. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, I must refer him to statements already made and answers previously returned in this House, and to the declaration of the Russian Government themselves.
§ Mr. J. D. REESasked whether the Anglo-Russian Convention justified interference by one of the two parties, as to the precise position in Persia to be occupied by troops of the other party, in a case in which the introduction of the troops of one party was authorised and approved by both parties?
§ Sir E. GREYI beg to refer the hon. Member to the text of the Anglo-Russian Agreement, which, as he is aware, has been published as a Parliamentary Paper, and from which he will see that the point is not mentioned.