§ Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that another robbery of goods, to the value of £2,000, belonging to British firms has been committed on the road between Ispahan and Shiraz, and that already previous losses to the extent of £75,000 have been inflicted on British and Indian traders, and that if this robbery is permitted to continue trade in the South of Persia must be paralysed altogether, he will now take steps to secure the appointment of some British officers to the Persian gendarmerie, as formerly proposed, with a view to the adequate safeguarding of the southern trade routes?
§ Sir E. GREYAt present I do not consider the employment of British officers as either necessary or even desirable. A scheme has been drawn up for the organisation of a Persian gendarmerie under Swedish officers, and it is to be hoped that when put in force it will prove efficient without the co-operation of British officers.
§ Colonel YATEWhen will it be put into force?
§ Sir E. GREYIt will take some time, whether it be Swedish or British officers.
§ Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the information from Teheran that Russia does not approve of foreign officers, other than Russian, employed by 2040 Persia in her military service being appointed to Tabriz and other important northern towns, he will consider, in the interests both of Persia and Great Britain and with a view of doing away with the necessity for the extra Consular Guards that have now to be maintained, the desirability of some British officers being similarly employed by Persia in her military service at Ispahan and other important southern towns?
§ Sir E. GREYThe information which has reached the hon. and gallant Member does not accurately represent the attitude of the Russian Government, who are not opposed to the employment of officers for the army chosen from the subjects of minor Powers. As regards Ispahan, in particular, that town is situated within the Russian sphere.
§ Mr. MORRELLHas the Note yet been accepted by the Persian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI would like notice of that question.