EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state approximately the number of British and Indian troops employed as Consular guards in Persia at the present time?
§ Sir E. GREYThe total number of Indian troops at present employed as Con- 1452 sular guards in Persia, including the reinforcements now being sent, is approximately 770. There are besides 191 officers and men at Jask, and 111 at Charbar, employed in connection with the prevention of the arms traffic and the protection of the telegraph station.
EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to the number of Russian troops at present in Persia; if any addition has recently been made to the number; and, if so, can he say for what purpose such additions have been made?
§ Sir E. GREYIt is believed that in August last the number of Russian troops in Persia was about 3,500. Since then the Russian Government have notified us of their intention to send additional Consular escorts to Khoi (100 men), to Resht (100 men), and to Ispahan (150 men). These men are, I understand, being sent in view of the prevalent insecurity.
EARL of RONALDSHAYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can say if there is any truth in the report which has appeared in the Press that the Russian Government propose to occupy the Caspian provinces of Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not even seen the report in the Press, and I have no information whatever on the subject.