§ 2. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he is aware that private advices from Shiraz show that several attacks were made upon Europeans during October, and all round Shiraz robberies are of frequent occurrence; that, in consequence of the immunity they have enjoyed, the tribesmen are giving up pastoral pursuits and taking to brigandage; that, in the opinion of persons on the spot, the only cure for the present chaotic state of affairs is the disarming of the tribes; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to take any effective steps to restore order and protect British interests in Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI am aware of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in Southern Persia and all steps that can be taken have been and are being urged and encouraged by us in Persia. If however the hon. Member desires, as his question suggests, that we should ourselves send a force to disarm the tribes, I must point out that this would perhaps cost more than the whole commercial advantage that is at stake besides entailing an extension of political and territorial responsibilities that might be a burden out of all proportion to the advantage to be obtained.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the more 94 orderly conditions which prevail in Northern Persia, Russian trade is extending, and is it the intention of the Government to protect the interests of British trade in Southern Persia, as the Russian Government have protected their trade in Northern Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Russian Government protected Russian trade in Northern Persia by sending a great many troops. That is a very expensive operation and it is not one which we are prepared, as at present advised, to undertake in Southern Persia. Anything short of that we have been doing.