§ Mr. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Parliamentary party at Bushire had looted British merchants at that port, and, if the answer was in the affirmative, whether compensation had been claimed; and whether the Government proposes to afford its moral support in future to the Parliamentary party?
§ The SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)On April 8 a considerable amount of British merchandise was stolen by the Tangistani followers of Seyyid Murtaza, who is in control of Bushire. This chief is nominally acting in the interests of the Parliamentary party, but has been disowned by their leaders. I have not received any information to the effect that compensation for the theft has already been claimed. I propose to avoid intervention between the two contending parties in Persia.