BRITAIN AND PERSIA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1676, 17 February 1913, Page 7

BRITAIN AND PERSIA.

," CAPTAIN ECKFORD'S DEATH. >. By TeleeraDh~Pr«i Aitooialion-OoßTxiefit ; (Bee. February 16, 5.5 p.m.) ~ ? London, 'February 18. In reply to a question by Mr. Acland regarding Captain Eokford's death, an announcement has been, made that the Government intended to leave the punishment of the tribesmen to tho Persian Government and did not intend to send a punitive expedition which would develop into permanent occupation. ' ( .

DETAILS OF THE OUTRAGE. The following printed reply was recently given by Sir Edward Grey to a question addressed to him by Sir J. D. Eeess— A code telegram has been received from his Majesty's Consul at Shiraz. giving the following account of ,the incident, drawn up by Major Kettlewell:— "Party consisted of Kettlewell, Eckford, 1 nativo officer, 2G eowars, 17 followers, and 17 baggago mules. They started from Khanehzinian at 7 a.m.' 11th Deoember, half an hour after a party of about 150 Persian soldiers who were marching down road independently. Twelve men wero told off as baggago guards, Temairidor with officers as advance guard. At the bridge over Kazaagach ItiTor Persian officer of tho Gendarmerie, with two mounted gendarmes who had accom-' paniod Kettlewell to the . river, galloped on ahead to inspect Gendarmerie post at Burjitinui, on tho top of the Sinihsafid Pass. Kettlewell also sent on ahead native officer- atid two sowars to prepare quarters at Dastarjin, Scouts frero also posted on wooded hills on the left flank. After short halt party proceeded. Bead here ruiis through jungle for about 1J miles. Two officers, accompanied by si* or seven sowars,- had passed boyond jungle, and, just as leading mules were appearing front junglo hot fire was opened by a party from hills on left. Advanced, galloped ahead, got under .cover, dismounted,, ahd started tfl climb hill. It was difficult to discover tnemy, through thick jungle, but shots Were exchanged, and it is now that Eckford was shot through the heart. A few minutes after, Kettlowell saw from'. crest of ridge 150 to 200 men rush out from bottom of ravine below towards river bank. His men. fired on them, but they quitkly disappeared into . jungle; Meanwhile eofrars of baggago guard had crossed to north bank Gf river and taken up position in lew hills. They report that smaller body of robbers joined attack also from the north. Kettlewell now collccted men with him, descended hills, and cjossed river bed, tnk'ng Eckford s body with him. They joined other party, ar.d native officer and two 6owars who had gono ahead also rejoined party here. Jleanwhilo robbers appear to have made off over hills northwards with tho booty. Wholo party then returhed to Khanehzinian, moving by north bank of river. During this movement somo 15 td 20 horsemen wero seen on hills to north and shots exchanged. Kettlewell states ho stw no caravan litter or caravanserai at Khanehzinian or on road. Small party cf Persians, with three or four miiles, who left Serai after sowars had started, word robbed and their mules taken. Thoy returned to Serai on foot, where Kettlewell saw theto, but he had not seen them on road.

"Kcttlewell nlfo states that, beyond the firing, no attempt was made to attack his sin till party. Robbers were apparently only out for plunder, ami cleared ciT at onco when they had seized mules. As to the Gendarmerie, it would appear that Persian officer tfhon ho readied Il.irjitinutl brought his men back alone crest of hills, an<l it was there that they vero wounded. Kettlowell only eaiv them in the distance iuovlrig along hills lo south when lio was returning to ward 4 Ktun.ehzinlnn."