§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked whether the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs has received official information of an attack upon the British Consulate at Kermanshah, a town of some 32,000 inhabitants on the west of Persia; whether the attack resulted in the death of one man and the theft of a sum of money; whether the man killed was a British subject or in British employment; and what steps he intends to take to safeguard British Consulates in Persia, seeing that the present protection is inadequate?
Mr. McKINNON WOODHis Majesty's Minister has reported that two attempts were made to break into the Consulate at Kermanshah on 25th March and 26th. On the first occasion two men were arrested, and on the second the sowars' quarters were entered, two uniforms and some goods were taken, and shots were exchanged with some thirty men, believed to be seeking revenge for the arrest of their two comrades the day before. The Consul took measures for defence, and notified the Governor. A warning reached the Consulate that the band concerned threatened to kill the Indian sowars, and on 28th March stones were thrown at the Consulate; but the brigands, finding it well garrisoned, made no further attempt, 458 but robbed the house of a notable in the town. The same night the brigands fired on the Consulate, but, finding the fire returned, departed. The local authorities appear to have placed troops at the Consulate for its protection, and Sir George Barclay has held the Persian. Government responsible for the safety of the Consulate and of British subjects, and has urged the punishment of the culprits. No information has so far been received to the effect that anybody was killed during the course of these events.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay we take it that the Consulates are properly safeguarded?