§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the terms of the ultimatum sent by the Russian Government to the Persian Government on Wednesday last; whether His Majesty's Government were informed of it beforehand and consented to its being sent; and whether this ultimatum, or any part of it, was sent in the name of His Majesty's Government as well as in that of Russia?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)The demands included in the ultimatum, which have appeared in the Press, are: (1) the dismissal of Messrs. Sinister and Lecoffre; (2) an undertaking not to engage in the service of the Persian Government any foreigners without the previous consent of the British and Russian Legations; (3) the payment by Persia of the expenses of the present Russian military expedition, the manner of payment and the exact sum to be settled after the reply of the Persian Government has been received. It is added that the cases of the other persons engaged by Mr. Shuster will be dealt with under the second demand. His Majesty's Government were informed of the terms of the ultimatum before it was sent, but as the events which occasioned its dispatch primarily concerned the Russian Government, the case was not one in which the consent of Great Britain was required. In view, however, of Mr. Shuster's action, the opinion was expressed that we could not object to the demands respecting him and the appointment of foreign advisers. The ultimatum was presented by the Russian Government alone, and not in the name of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MORRELLDid the Foreign Office advise the Persian Government to yield?
§ Mr. ACLANDI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCan the hon. Gentleman state whether England's veto on the appointment of foreigners in Persia will extend not only to the English sphere of influence as defined by the Anglo-Russian Agreement, but also to the Gulf region?
§ Mr. ACLANDI must ask the hon. Member to look at the terms of my reply, which sets forth that the demands of the ultimatum include "an undertaking not to engage in the service of the Persian Government any foreigners without the previous consent of the British and Russian Legations." That is all I undertake to say.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it that no protest was made by the British Government against it?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODI understand that, according to the ultimatum——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put down his question.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill the Under-Secretary explain to me what protest was made by the British Government? He says a protest was made.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that.
§ Mr. MORRELLI beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment to-night.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked whether the terms of the ultimatum recently sent by the Russian Government to that of Persia include the demand that the Persian Government shall be guided by the advice of Russia and Great Britain in her choice of foreign advisers, of whatever nationality these may be, or whether this demand is only made in case the Persian Government desires to choose a British or a Russian subject?
§ Mr. ACLANDI beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to his immediately preceding question. The demand applies to foreign officials of all nationalities.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman has any information showing that Mr. Morgan Shuster's work in Persia has been in any way unsatisfactory 998 to the Persian Government or the Persian people, or whether it is solely on the ground of his attitude towards Russia that His Majesty's Government have acquiesced in the demand made by the Russian Government for Mr. Shuster's dismissal?
§ Mr. ACLANDHis Majesty's Minister reports that severe tension has existed between the Persian Ministers and the Treasurer-General for some weeks past, and was the cause of the resignation of three Ministers a short time since. I have no information respecting the views of the Persian people; but Mr. Shuster has received the support of the Medjliss. The reason why His Majesty's Government could not object to the Russian demand respecting Mr. Shuster has already been explained in the Debate of last Monday.
§ Mr. MORRELLWas not the main objection to Mr. Shuster that he appointed competent persons, even though they happened to be British subjects?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir, not at all.