§ 1. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any recent information concerning the fighting between the Russians and the Shahsevens in the Azerbaijan province of Persia; have the Russians reinforced their troops operating against the Shahsevens; and has the Persian Government any power to maintain order in the Ardebil and surrounding districts without the help of the Russians?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)I have no very detailed information and no official information of recent date regarding Russian operations against this nomadic tribe, who appear to be a constant source of disturbance near the frontier, but some reinforcements have been sent to assist in them. As regards the last part of the question, I regard it as very doubtful whether the Persian Government could at present restore order in the lawless districts.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIs there any single word of hope to be spoken about Persia at the present moment?
§ Sir E. GREYI am afraid I can say nothing more than I stated in the Debate the other day.
§ Mr. MORRELLAre the negotiations for the small loan at all advanced.
§ Sir E. GREYThey are proceeding. I cannot say that they have made any definite advance since I last spoke.