§ Mr. HAZLETON (for Mr. Dillon)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could state approximately when the Russian troops would be withdrawn from Tabriz and other towns in Northern Persia?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)I am unable to make any statement under present conditions.
§ Mr. HAZLETON (for Mr. Dillon)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the 572 effect that the Deutsche Bank has made proposals with a view to a loan to the Persian Government; and whether the British or Russian Governments would interpose any obstacle to the Persian Government obtaining a, loan from the Deutsche Bank or from any other source?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I cannot say what our attitude would be towards any loan till the conditions of it were known to us.
§ Mr. HAZLETON (for Mr. Dillon)asked whether the Russian Government insist, as a condition of a loan to the Government of Persia, that a police force should be established in Northern Persia under the control of Russian officers; and whether His Majesty's Government was supporting this demand?
§ Sir E. GREYI am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the conditions of the loan while the question remains under negotiation.
§ Mr. HAZLETON (for Mr. Dillon)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he would lay upon the Table further Papers on the affairs of Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI hope to lay the Papers in the course of next week.
§ Mr. HAZLETON (for Mr. Dillon)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the terms on which the Russian and British Governments are willing to make a loan to the Government of Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI have at present nothing to add to the reply returned to the question asked by the hon. Member on this subject on 7th March.
§ Mr. REESasked when the renewed period for which Persia undertook, in favour of Russia, not to make any railways would elapse; and whether His Majesty's Government had still a right to construct or procure the construction of railways in Southern Persia, whenever railway construction took place in any other part of that kingdom by or on behalf of any other Power?
§ Sir E. GREYIn reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the period referred to expires on 8th April. In reply to the second part, His Majesty's Government regard the undertaking by which the 573 right in question was conferred as still binding, though the extent to which it would be exercised by His Majesty's Government would, of course, be in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement.
§ Mr. LINCOLNasked the total number of Russian troops at present stationed in Persia; what are the reasons for their detention beyond the time repeatedly stipulated by Russia; and whether the presence of foreign troops in Persia is compatible with the Anglo-Russian treaty which guarantees the independence of that country?
§ Sir E. GREYSince the date of the answer returned to the question asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 23rd February, I have learnt that the detachment at Tabriz has been reduced to 500 men, but I have no subsequent information as to the numbers of Russian troops in the Ardebil district and at Kazvin. I am not aware that the Russian Government have ever undertaken to withdraw their troops at a specified time, as is implied in the second part of the hon. Member's question, but they have declared their intention of doing so when order is secure. As regards the third part, the temporary occupation of certain points in Northern Persia by Russian troops for purposes of protection in a time of disorder cannot be considered a violation of the independence of the country, if it is strictly limited to the condition stated.
§ Mr. REESasked whether law and order yet prevail to such an extent in Persia as to make the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Tabriz a matter of indifference to the population; and whether the Russian Government raised any objection to the landing of British bluejackets at Bushire?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Consul recently reported that until the rebel organisation had been broken up most Europeans would view with alarm the departure of the Russian troops. There are 500 troops at Tabriz. The reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.
§ Mr. REESasked whether the control of the police force in Northern Persia by Russian officers differed in principle from the control of Persian Cossacks by Russian officers, or from the control of the hypothecated Persian Customs by Belgian officers; and whether Russian officers em- 574 ployed in the Persian police will, like the Russian officers controlling Persian Cossacks, and the Belgian officers controlling Persian Customs, be themselves under the control of the Persian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot at present answer this question, because Russian officers are not in control of the police force in Northern Persia.