ANGLO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 30

ANGLO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT

LONDON, February 18. In the House of Commons Earl Percy moved that while welcoming the principle of the Anglo-Russian Convention, the House considered that the terms of the agreement involved a material sacrifice of British interests and left room for international misunderstanding.

Sir Edward Grey, in a masterly reply, declared that the agreement made the peace of the world more secure. He denied that Britain had sacrificed her great commercial prospects in Persia, but he admitted tliat strategic considerations had been paramount with the Government. The danger to India through PensLa "wpG now very remote. Sir E. Grey explained that if a special piovision had been inserted respecting the Persian Gulf it could only have affected the Persian side of the gulf, whereas in fte future probably the Mesopotainian side would hs the more important. The Tight of the Amesr to- develop Afghanistan as he pleased was not restricted. The British position in Thibet remained unnltered.

Mr Balfour declared that the Government had not scored, a great diplomatic success, though he admitted that there wonld be a strategic gain il the agreement pi evented Leistan becoming the base for attacking India. Mr John Moiley (Secretary for India) describes the convention as a most momentous instrument in, connection with the defence of India. , The motion was eventually withdrawn.