§ 2. Dr. CHAPPLEasked whether the Governorship of the province of Ghilan, adjoining the Caspian sea, has been conferred by the Persian Government upon Salar-ed-Dowleh, brother of the ex-shah, who has for some years past headed a rebellion against the Persian Government; whether the population of the province has displayed resentment at the appointment; and whether His Majesty's Government has counselled the Persian Government to defer to the wish of Russia that the appointment should be made?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have no information to this effect from His Majesty's Minister, but the Persian Minister represented to me recently that disorders were feared in consequence of the appointment. In reply to the last part of the question, I am informed that the Persian Government now wish to revoke the appointment, and the question is under consideration. I do not propose to take an active part in the matter.
4. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to recent attempts by partisans of the ex-shah of Persia to secure his recall to that country; and what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to counter-act these machinations?
§ Sir E. GREYMy attention has been drawn to the reports on the subject, and I have been in communication with the Russian Government, who, equally with His Majesty's Government, would strongly deprecate any attempt of the ex-Shah to return to Persia.