§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHasked, Whether it would be convenient for the Government to produce copies of Correspondence with the Persian Government and with the British Minister at the Court of Teheran relative to the opening of the Karun and the Port of Mohummreh for European traffic? He had seen reports in the papers in reference to this important matter. Having many years ago visited that port in company with an eminent Orientalist, he then learnt the immense importance of opening up the river for European traffic, though at that time there was no prospect of that being done. If the reports in the papers were correct, he would venture to congratulate Her Majesty's Government upon the remarkable diplomatic success of Sir H. Drummond Wolff. He hoped that the negotiations would result in great benefit to this country, and in the further civilization of the enlightened and remarkable people of Persia.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)My Lords, I hardly think that we have any Papers at present which it would be desirable to lay on the Table with regard to this matter; and as our knowledge to a certain extent comes by telegraph we have not all the Papers which it may be right to present. I would, therefore, ask my noble Friend to defer his Motion to a future time, when we may possibly be able to give a more favourable answer to it. I can only say, in reference to this matter, that I think Sir Henry Drummond Wolff deserves all the credit that my noble Friend has given him for the result of all his exertions. Sir Henry Drummond Wolff is a man of very high diplomatic capacity; and he has fully shown his capacities, and powers, and abilities on this occasion. But it would be entirely unjust to give the whole or even the main part of the credit to Sir Henry Drummond Wolff. I believe the result of the negotiations is due to a very great extent to the spontaneous act of the Shah of Persia himself. The Shah of Persia has come to the conclusion, I believe, that his country does need the aid of the Government in relaxing such impediments as now exists to the freer movement of traffic, and the revival of 1739 commerce; and that nothing but some progress in that direction can give any hope of eliciting the remarkable and extensive resources which his country contains. I believe the Shah has taken a very enlightened view of the interests of his country in that respect, and is fully convinced that her material prosperity must advance if she is to maintain her place among the nations. To a very great extent, quite spontaneously, he has resolved upon this act of wisdom, which benefits not England only, but all the commercial nations of the globe; and I heartily hope that it will be the beginning of measures which will be beneficial not specially to England alone, but above all to the Persian people themselves.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half-past Ten o'clock.