§ 1. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state within what approximate period it is contemplated the Swedish gendarmerie will be able to pacify the Luristan district in Persia; and whether the Persian Government will take into consideration the loss of time entailed in the survey of the Muhamra-Khoramabad railway by the disturbances in Luristan and prolong the period of the concession accordingly, and will grant compensation for the extra expense involved?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)I cannot say more about the restoration of order than I said the other day. As regards the second part, there is no reason to believe that the Persian Government will not readily admit the claim for an extension of time for the option in question. The question of expenses incurred for the survey is to form the subject of subsequent arrangement with the Persian Government.
§ 5. Mr. MORRELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman can give any information as to the number of Russian troops now in Northern Persia; whether any have recently been withdrawn; and whether any further withdrawal of these troops may be expected?
§ Sir E. GREYThe total number of Russian troops in Northern Persia is, according to my latest information, 14,200 men. There has thus been a reduction of 3,300 men since the date of the last question asked by the hon. Member on 8th July. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative, the "Official Messenger" of St. Petersburg having published an official communiqué on 13th January to the effect that orders had been issued for the withdrawal from Kasvin of the whole column sent there during the period of unrest (some 2,390 men) with the exception of four sotnias to be left at Kasvin, and one sotnia at Resht, and one at Kergenrud.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it then that the undertaking given by the Russian Government in 1911 that all the Russian expeditionary force will be ultimately withdrawn from Northern Persia when order has been restored still holds good?
§ Sir E. GREYThere has been no change in that undertaking.
§ 6. Mr. MORRELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the situation that has been created in the province of Azerbaijan, in Persia, by the action of the Acting Governor, Shuja-ed-Dowth, who, relying on the support of Russian Cossacks, refuses to recognise the authority of the present Shah and the central Government at Teheran, and has taken over the collection of the revenues of the province for his own use; and whether, having regard to the fact that it was in consequence of the action taken by the Russian Government, 1564 with the full support of His Majesty's Government, in December, 1911, that this man became Governor of the province, and his continuance in that office has long been illegal, His Majesty's Government will now use their influence to secure the appointment of a new Governor, and thus establish throughout Persia the authority of the constitutional Government?
§ Sir E. GREYThe latest information in my possession does not corroborate the attitude attributed to Shuja-ed-Dowleh by the hon. Member for Burnley as regards disposal of the revenue, and I do not think it would be either desirable or practicable for us to intervene to depose one Governor and get another appointed.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it not a fact that this Governor, Shuja-ed-Dowleh, only holds his position by the support of the two Powers, and that he has long ago been superseded by the Government at Teheran?
§ Sir E. GREYMy hon. Friend says in his question that he was appointed "with the full support of His Majesty's Government." I do not believe that was so, and I cannot think what my hon. Friend refers to.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONMay I ask if the province of Azerbaijan has accepted the invitation of the Government of Persia to elect representatives to the new Mejliss?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question.