HC Deb 09 March 1915 vol 70 cc1247-8
30. Sir J. JARDINE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any official information showing that the Turkish authorities at Baghdad had plundered the shrine at Kerbela, held sacred by the Shia Mahomedans of India, and taken property worth about £2,000,000 sterling; and, if so whether he can give any particulars?

Mr. ROBERTS

Reports to the effect mentioned by the hon. Member have reached the British authorities at Basra.

Sir J. JARDINE

Are these reports considered to be true: is there any information on the subject?

Mr. ROBERTS

I should hesitate to say that the reports absolutely confirm the truth of the story; but they seem to render it considerably more probable.