§ Mr. PONSONBYasked whether, in reply to a protest from the Persian Government, the British representative in Teheran declared in September, 1907, that the object of the two Powers, Russia and Great Britain, in making this agreement is not in any way to attack but rather to assure for ever the independence of Persia; not only do they not wish to have at hand any excuse for intervention but their object in these friendly negotiations was not to allow one another to intervene on the pretext of safeguarding their interests; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government still adhere to this declaration of their intentions; and what steps they propose to take to carry out their pledge?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe text of the declaration made to the Persian Government by the British and Russian representatives at Teheran in September, 1907, has been published, and can be found on page 48 of a Parliamentary Paper, Persia, No. 1, 1909. His Majesty's Government still adhere to this declaration, and neither have done nor will do anything to depart from it. The Russian Government have 1202 given the most categorical assurances that their action is purely provisional, and that they have no intention of infringing the principles of the Anglo-Russian Agreement. I must add, with regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, that it is not a quotation from the declaration referred to.
§ Mr. MORRELLAre not the statements in this question quotations from a statement made by the British Minister at Teheran at the time when he was referring to that declaration?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir, there is nothing of the kind which we know of. The statement referred to does not contain these words in the second part of the question at all.
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked whether the Persian Government require to be guided by the advice of Great Britain and Russia in their choice of foreign advisers of whatever nationality, or only in case they desire to choose a British or Russian subject?
§ Mr. ACLANDI beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Burnley yesterday.
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked the terms of the last ultimatum delivered by the Russian Government to the Persian Government; and whether His Majesty's Government are supporting the Russian Government in their demands?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe reply returned to the similar question by the hon. Member for Burnley yesterday covers the hon. Gentleman's enquiry.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan my hon. Friend yet tell me whether His Majesty's Government advised the Persian Government to comply with this ultimatum?
§ Mr. ACLANDThat does not arise, and I really would ask to be excused from making partial statements, seeing there will be an opportunity for a very full statement in this House.