Persia.

Oral Answers to Questions — Ireland. – in the House of Commons at on 28 February 1921.

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Photo of Mr William Ormsby-Gore Mr William Ormsby-Gore , Stafford

36.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information regarding the recent revolution in Persia; whether there is still any possibility of any Persian Government or mejliss ratifying the Anglo-Persian Agreement; whether there has been a quorum of the mejliss in Teheran for the last three months; whether the mejliss was only prevented from meeting owing to the unpopularity in Persia of the Anglo-Persian Agreement; and whether he will now ease the situation of the new Persian Government by issuing a declaration that the British Government are ready to regard the Agreement as having lapsed?

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

39.

asked the Prime Minister whether the action of the Persian Cossacks in overthrowing the Government at Teheran has been assisted or supported in any way by His Majesty's Government; whether these Persian Cossacks have been paid and provisioned by His Majesty's Government; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards their present action?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

As the reply is rather long, I will, with the hon. Members' permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Photo of Mr William Ormsby-Gore Mr William Ormsby-Gore , Stafford

As the answer has not been read to the House, may I ask is it definite that the Anglo-Persian Agreement is no longer regarded as being in force and we are rid of that incubus?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

I should not like to say that.

Sir J. D. REES:

If the Agreement lapses will the money be returned?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

That is a purely hypothetical question.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a definite answer as to whether these Persian Cossacks who have overthrown the Government at Teheran have been excited or assisted by us?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

I can deny that, and the hon. and gallant Gentleman will find a complete answer to that in my reply.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Are they not paid, provisioned, and uniformed by us?

Photo of Colonel Charles Yate Colonel Charles Yate , Melton

Does that answer cover the reply to my question last Friday?

Following is the answer promised:

Detachments of the Persian Cossack Division, composed entirely of Persian troops under a Persian officer, marched from Kazvin on Teheran and entered the town on 21st February shortly after midnight.

The Persian officer in command of this force stated that the Persian Cossacks, who had had experience of the Bolsheviks, were tired of seeing one inefficient Government succeed another at Teheran, where, apparently, no one was making any preparations to oppose a Bolshevik advance, which would follow the withdrawal of the British forces from Persia. The Cossacks professed loyalty and devotion to the Shah, but were determined to set aside the evil counsellors by whom he had been surrounded. They also professed goodwill towards foreigners who, they declared, had nothing to fear from them.

As no force was available to oppose their entry into Teheran they encountered practically no resistance, and took charge of all Government establishments and picketed the streets. The local gendarmerie and police joined them, and discipline was maintained. The Government of Sipahdar naturally collapsed, and the Prime Minister sought refuge at His Majesty's Legation, but was subsequently induced to leave with an assurance that he would not be molested. The revolutionaries have not yet set up a Government, but have arrested various prominent personages. The bazaars were closed and the town was quiet on the 22nd February.

His Majesty's Government have taken no part in, and have no responsibility whatever for the action of the Persian Cossacks. The British subsidies for the maintenance of this force ceased in May, 1920. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the Cossacks at this juncture is one of neutrality. As regards the Mejliss, I am not in a position to answer the various points raised by the hon. Member for Stafford, but in reply to the final part of the question I may say His Majesty's Government have no intention of issuing a declaration that they regard the Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919 as having lapsed. The responsibility for its abandonment, if it is abandoned, rests exclusively with the Persian Government. I would refer to the Prime Minister's statement in this House on 15th December last, to which His Majesty's Government adhere.

Photo of Colonel Charles Yate Colonel Charles Yate , Melton

68.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the South Persia Rifles are to be disbanded; whether the evacuation of all British officers and non-commissioned officers is to be completed by 31st March; and whether all British women and children have been warned to leave South Persia before that date?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

The question of the South Persia Rifles is at the present moment engaging the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government, who hope to arrive at a decision in the very near future. In the meanwhile, it is impossible to return a definite answer to the second part. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the South Persia Rifles will be used for political purposes also, as in the case of the North Persia forces, where there was a British officer in command?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

I do not accept the statement of the hon. Member.