§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he cart give any information as to the rebellion of Salar-ed-Dowleh, in Northern Persia; and whether any and, if any, what steps are being taken to put down the rebellion?
§ Sir E. GREYI am unable to give any detailed information regarding the rebellion. Late in January a satisfactory arrangement was, however, concluded and accepted by Salar-ed-Dowleh under which. the Prince is to receive a pension from his confiscated possessions and go to reside at Teheran. I have since been informed that. before the arrangement could be concluded the Prince at the head of two hundred 57W men and Turkoman levies marched against Nardin, but he is now believed to be back in the neighbour of Astrabad.
§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if any concessions for railways in Persia have recently been made to the Russian or British Governments, and, if any, what are the nature of these concessions; whether any negotiations are at present pending for railway or mining concessions; and whether any pressure, direct or indirect, is being put upon the Persian Government in connection with such negotiations?
§ Sir E. GREYAs far as I know no railway concessions have yet been made but two are pending, the railways in question being the Julfa-Tabriz project, which is the subject of negotiations between the Persian Government and a Russian syndicate, and the Mohammerah Khorremmabad project, which is the subject of negotiations between the Persian Government and a British syndicate; the details of the respective concessions are, however, not definitely arranged. As to mining concessions, certain negotiations are taking place between the Persian Government and a British syndicate. but I am not in a position to disclose the details at this stage. His Majesty's Government have given their support to the British concessions, but not in a form that can be correctly described by any harsh word such as pressure.
§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is now acting as Governor of Tabriz, and by whose appointment he is acting?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not heard that the Governor-General has actually left Tabriz, but it was stated officially at Teheran towards the end of January that His Excellency was about to start from Tabriz on two months' leave of absence, and that Shuja-ed-Dowleh would remain as Acting-Governor. This latter appointment would, of course, be made by the Persian Government. It is not a matter in which His Majesty's Government can take any responsibility.
§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British or Indian Governments have yet decided what steps are to be taken in connection with the recent murder of a British officer and the constant attacks on British Indian troops in Southern Persia?
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§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government are not able to say what measures may ultimately be necessary in consequence of the murder of Captain Eckford. They would, however, be reluctant to take any action which might hamper the efforts of the new Persian Cabinet in the restoration of order, and they are considering in what manner they can best afford them assistance and encouragement in their task.