§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Note addressed by the Russian to the Turkish Government protesting against the advance of Turkish troops into Western Azerbeizan has been communicated to His Majesty's Government; has his attention been called to a statement made in this Note to the effect that this action by Turkey is opposed to the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement whereby the British and Russian Governments undertake to preserve the integrity of Persia; and whether it is a fact that his Majesty's Government have, in concert with the Government of Russia, undertaken to preserve the integrity of Persia?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)I have not seen the text of the Note referred to, but communications have passed between the Turkish Government and the British and Russian Representatives at Constantinople on the subject of the Turkish advance to Urumiah. If the hon. Member will refer to the Anglo-Russian Agreement he will see what are the obligations imposed on the two Powers by that instrument.
§ Mr. LYNCHWas there any reason why the Turkish Government should not have taken similar measures to protect their own interests in the North of Persia to those taken by the Russian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYThat is not a subject on which I am prepared to make any statement without notice.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any further information regarding Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYAs was stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for the Montgomery District, the Shah, after taking refuge in the Russian Legation, abdicated, and his son, Sultan Ahmed Mirza, has been proclaimed Shah by the Nationalist Committee, under the regency of Azad-ul-Mulk, head of the Kajar tribe, pending the convocation of Parliament. The commanders of the Fedai and Bakhtiari, as temporary chiefs of the Persian Government, have accepted the services of the Persian Cossack Brigade under their Russian officers, on condition that the latter are completely under the orders of the Minister of War. This arrangement was ratified at a meeting between the commanders and Colonel Liakhoff. Tehran is quiet, and the Persian Cossacks are already fraternising with the Fedai. The Sipahdar has been appointed Minister of War, and the Sirdar Assad Minister of the Interior.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs it part of the agreement that the services of the present Russian officers are to be retained?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask the hon. Gentleman to give notice of supplementary questions.
Dr. RUTHERFORDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the behaviour of the Nationalist forces, he will represent to the Government of Russia the undesirability of advancing Russian troops to Tehran?
§ Sir E. GREYIn view of the declarations already made by the Russian Government as to the circumstances under which alone Russian troops would be sent to Tehran, and in view of the fact that no troops have been sent to Tehran during the recent troubles, in spite of the fact that at one time some apprehension, which happily proved to be unfounded, was expressed for the safety of Russian subjects, such representations would be most uncalled for.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it not the fact that the British Government are backing up the Russian Government to put down the revolutionary movement in Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYIt is absolutely untrue that either the British or the Russian Governments are doing anything to put down any movement.
§ Mr. SMEATONIs it not the case that in the present condition of Tehran and in the political situation generally the Nationalists have achieved all they could possibly have desired?
§ Sir E. GREYYes; the Nationalists have dethroned the Shah, appointed his successor, and established a condition of peace and stability.
§ Mr. FLYNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any communication to make to this House regarding the present position at Tehran; whether he has any official information to the effect that the Shah has taken refuge in the Russian Legation; what communications have passed between the British and Russian Legations and the Nationalists' leaders since the 16th instant; and, in view of the repeated assurances of Sipahdar and Sardar Asad, as to the safety of the property and lives of non-belligerent Europeans in Tehran, His Majesty's Government will recommend the withdrawal of the Russian military forces save those who may be required for police purposes?
§ Sir E. GREYAs regards, the first and second points in the hon. Member's question, I beg to refer him to the answer just returned to the hon. Member for the Ripon Division. As regards the third point, the Nationalist leaders informed the two Legations that the Nationalist Committee thought it necessary to send a deputation to Mohammed Ali Shah to announce a change of sovereignty, and requested them, as the Shah was in the Russian Legation, to appoint an hour when this could be done. This message was communicated to the Shah, who requested the two representatives to reply that, having left Sultanatabad, he had already abdicated, and, therefore, refused to receive the deputation. Later on the Legations were officially notified of the deposition of Mohammed Ali and the accession of Sultan Ahmed Shah. As regards the last point, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply just returned to the hon. Member for Brentford. There are no Russian or other foreign troops in Tehran, except the usual Legation guards, which are always there.
§ Mr. FLYNNIs it not the fact that the Russian Government have entered into regular relations with the new Persian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYPerhaps if the hon. Gentleman will give notice if the question I shall be able to say when the new Persian Government have been officially recognised by other Powers.