Mr. KINGasked whether any communication has been received from the Russian Government suggesting a restoration of the ex-Shah of Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the negative.
Mr. KINGasked whether an indemnity will be extorted from Persia by Russia for the cost of the advance of Russian soldiers to Teheran; if so, what the amount of that indemnity will be; and whether any indemnity is being demanded from Persia by Great Britain for the cost of the British military force now in Southern Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Russian demands were enumerated in the answer returned to the hon. Member for Burnley on the 4th instant. So far as I am aware, no specific sum has been named. The reply to the last point is in the negative.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked whether the Persian Government, acting upon the advice of His Majesty's Government, agreed to the terms of the first Russian ultimatum on the understanding that fresh Russian troops would not be landed on Persian soil; whether an assurance to this effect was given by His Majesty's Government, and it was only in consequence of shortness of time that this assurance failed; whether the Persian Government were willing to discuss the terms of the second ultimatum if reasonable time were given; and whether His Majesty's Government made any representations to the Russian Government to ask that further time should be given?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Persian Government were informed that we had every reason to believe that, if the terms of the first Russian ultimatum were complied with, the Russian troops would be withdrawn; and they were advised to act without loss of time; but no assurance was given. This was on the 20th of November. On the 21st of November the Persian. Government decided to comply with the demands. On the 23rd we were informed that the Treasury gendarmes could not be withdrawn for four or five days. The British Minister repeatedly urged that every day's delay lessened the chance of the withdrawal of the Russian troops. The demands were eventually complied with on the 24th. Meanwhile the Russian troops had landed in Persia; Mr. Shuster's attacks upon the Russian Government had been circulated in Persia; and the Russian Minister had been instructed to warn the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, when he proposed to pay the visit of apology, that the Russian Government would have to put forward further demands. The reply to the third question is that the Persian Government replied in this sense: Any statement of communications that have passed between the Russian Government and ourselves can be dealt with only in discussing the question as a whole, for which there will be opportunities here and in another place.
§ Mr. DILLONIs the right hon. Gentleman in a position to state on what evidence he made the statement that Mr. Shuster or the Persian Government was responsible for the circulation of the pamphlet?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask the hon. Gentleman to give me notice of that.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan the Russian Government interfere in Irish questions?
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked whether the Russian troops are marching on Teheran, the capital of Persia; and how do His Majesty's Government reconcile the demands which they are to enforce upon the Persian Government—namely, that the Persian Government shall obtain the consent of Russia and Great Britain to the appointments of foreign advisers—with the terms of the Anglo-Russian Convention safeguarding the independence of Persia as a sovereign State?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Russian troops have left Enzeli, but have not reached Teheran. The demand in question involves no new 1560 departure in practice, but is in accordance with that which has been pursued at Teheran ever since the Agreement was signed.
§ Mr. PONSONBYDoes His Majesty's Government consider that anything the Russian Government have done during the last few months has been a contravention of the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask the hon. Member to leave general questions of that kind to be dealt with when I make the general statement which has been promised on the question as a whole, a statement which has been promised not only here, but in another place also.
§ Mr. MORRELLAre we to take it that the British Government agree to the Russian demand for the instant dismissal of Mr. Shuster?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer I have just given applies to that. It is impossible to deal with these isolated questions piecemeal on a subject which is one of very serious and very grave importance.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman kindly say when that statement, so often promised, will be made, and when the discussion on foreign affairs will be resumed?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand that so far as the House of Commons is concerned it will be one day next week. I am not sure that the Prime Minister has announced a day, but there is a day next week when the Debate on Foreign Affairs will be taken, which will afford an ample opportunity.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCan we be assured of a whole day for the Debate, or can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Debate will be curtailed?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask the hon. Member to put that to the Prime Minister.