§ 2. Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any official information showing the release of the staff of the Shiraz branch of the Imperial Bank of Persia who have been held prisoners for the last nine-months by German emissaries in Persia; and if he can give any information regarding the British Consul and other British Government officials at Shiraz who have been held prisoners with them?
§ Lord R. CECILI am happy to say that not only the gentlemen of the Imperial Bank of Persia but all the British subjects detained at Ahram—with the unfortunate exception of Colonel O'Connor —have been released and arrived at Bushire on the 10th instant. It is hoped that as soon as the Persian tribesman who is to be released simultaneously with Colonel O'Connor arrives from Bombay, this officer may be set free.