§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked whether His Majesty's Government are in correspondence with the Government of the United States as to the possibility of jointly supporting in any way Mr. Morgan Shuster?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the notice in the Press this morning as to an ultimatum and indemnity being demanded from Persia, and, under these circumstances, will he support the United States if they take any action?
§ Sir E. GREYI propose to make a somewhat long statement to the House—if the House will allow me—in reply to a question by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Stirling Burghs (Mr. Ponsonby). Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait till then?
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had seen a manifesto of Manchester merchants, engaged or directly interested in trade with Persia, addressed to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, alleging that the persistent hostility of Russia to the Persian Government is having a bad effect on the interests of Lancashire trade; and having regard to the readiness of the British Government to defend British trading interests all over the world, whether he would insist on both the terms and the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Convention being loyally carried out?
§ Sir E. GREYI have seen the manifesto to which the hon. Member refers. The anarchical condition of the southern provinces, which is the cause of the decline of British trade, is not due to any recent action taken by the Russian Government. As the formation of an efficient Persian gendarmerie must necessarily take some months to accomplish, His Majesty's Government decided, as the hon. Member is aware, to strengthen the Consular 561 guards in southern Persia. Assurances have been received from the Russian Government that they intend to act in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Russian Convention.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information showing that the Russian Government have demanded the dismissal of Mr. Morgan Shuster from the service of the Persian Government; whether the Persian Government have refused to comply with that demand; and whether His Majesty's Government will give their support to the Persian Government in this matter?
§ Sir E. GREYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have not heard that the Persian Government have as yet returned any answer to the Russian demand. The reply to the last part is in the negative.
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked whether, in view of the fact that the Persian Government have yielded to the two demands of the Russian Government, any fresh demands have been formulated by the Russian Government to justify the retention of their troops in Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask leave of the House to give a rather more extended answer than perhaps would be justified by the actual question on the Paper. I would ask, too, that my answer should also include a reply to a question of which I have received private notice.
The Russian Government have made fresh demands. It will be clear to the House that, though we are not directly concerned in the incidents that have precipitated a crisis between Russia and Persia, the effects, direct or indirect, of the action that Russia may feel herself obliged to take may be very serious in Persia. We are in communication with the Russian Government on this point, and have received assurances as to the temporary and provisional character of the steps that are being taken. As to the causes that have brought about the present situation: I have no reflection to make upon the energy and good intentions of Mr. Shuster; but his persistence in appointing British subjects to administrative posts in the north of Persia has made things impossible. We, of course, could not support it, and he has rejected any advice on the subject. The appointment of foreign subjects will always be regarded as a possible means of introducing foreign 562 influence, and if continued without consultation with British or Russian Governments will always be liable to give rise to interference or political trouble, that will be prejudicial to the independence of Persia.
The present crisis makes it urgent to find some solution at Teheran that will avert the risk of the recurrence of incidents calculated to disturb the basis of the Anglo-Russian Agreement. It being the earnest desire of both Governments to prevent that Agreement from being impaired, I do not doubt that a solution will be found. How it can best be secured in consultation with the Russian Government is occupying the serious attention of His Majesty's Government; and I cannot make a more definite statement, though we have already been in communication with the Russian Government, and shall continue to do all in our power to promote a settlement that is in the best interests of all the three countries concerned.
§ Mr. DILLONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the statement in today's "Times" is correct that the Russian Government have used the name of the British Government in delivering this ultimatum, and whether that action, if it has been taken, has been taken with the consent of His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI would ask the hon. Member to give me notice of that question. He will see from the answer I have already given we have expressed the opinion that the action of Mr. Shuster has made things impossible, and there ought to be consultation between the British and Russian Government before foreign subjects are appointed to the Persian Government. We certainly have expressed that opinion. How far that information has been used by the Russian Government in anything stated at Teheran I cannot say.
§ Mr. PONSONBYHas the right hon. Gentleman received any communication from His Majesty's Minister at Teheran saying whether Mr. Shuster has himself been responsible for the distribution of pamphlets which the Russian Government object to?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the terms of the ultimatum included a demand for the payment of an indemnity for the payment of the Russian troops kept in Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask the hon. Member to give me notice.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he had any communication from the American Government upon this point?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir, I have had no communication whatever from the American Government.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay we understand that the occupation of Persia by Russian troops is purely temporary and provisional?
§ Sir E. GREYI have already said that we have received assurances that that will be so. The answer I have already given makes it plain to the House that the situation which has arisen is one that demands serious attention on the part of both Governments, with regard to its ultimate possible consequences.
§ Mr. PONSONBYasked how many Russian troops have now entered Persian territory; and to which districts have they been sent?
§ Sir E. GREYThe number of Russian troops sent to Persia in connection with the recent demands is as follows: At Resht, 1,220; at Enzeli, 800.