HC Deb 07 July 1909 vol 7 cc1186-7
Mr. LONSDALE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information with respect to the state of affairs at Teheran?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the subject yesterday.

Mr. J. C. FLYNN

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the Russians are now in military occupation of a large portion of Northern Persia, and whether that is in accordance with the spirit of the Anglo-Russian agreement?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Russians have certainly troops in the north of Persia, the necessity having arisen by serious disorder in that part of Persia.

Mr. REES

Is that any ground for the assertion that the Russians are in possession of any part of northern Persia?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Russians are not in possession.

Mr. J. WARD

Can the hon. Gentleman point to an instance where the Russians have taken military possession, and where they have ever left?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

We had an assurance from the Russian Government that troops would be withdrawn from Tabriz. The process had begun when unfortunately the present disturbances broke out.

Mr. REES

Does not Manchuria form a sufficient answer to the question that has been asked?