PERSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1915, Page 5

PERSIA.

DRASTIC ACTION REQUIRED. -=• A HOPEFUL STATEMENT. {TASK GREATER THAN EXPECTED. Received Dee. 8, 5.5 p.m. 1 London, Dec. 7. In the House of Lords, Lord Bryce iJrew attention to the position in the Persian Gulf, and- emphasised that the situation in Persia demanded most drastic action iby Britain and Russia. He hoped it would be found possible to d«4l gently with the frail fabric of the Persian monarchy. Lord Crewe said he desired to correct the misapprehension that General Townshend had only one division, because he had additional troops, infantry •nd cavalry, which were considered by competent authorities to be sufficient for the task. The Russians were concentrating on the northern frontier of Persia. Britain .had given Persia material financial support. There was no reason to despair that Persia's independence would be saved. Received Dec. S, 84 p.m. London, Dec, 7. Lord Crewe said General Townshend's campaign had been thoroughly considered, and if effective, it would be a great stroke in the war. No cnarge could be brought against the leader, for tho task proved heavier than was expected, owing to the greater forces and more powerful artillery of the enemy. General Townshend's retirement was a wise move.

Lord Sydenham said it wag evident the enemy's force had been underestimated. Sir Edjrard Grey, in the House of Commons, said the Persian Cabinet was anxious to restore order, and there was no information that the Shah had broken his engagements with England and Russia or allowed the Germans to transport military supplies to Teheran.

GERMAN INTRIGUE. LAVISH LARGESSE. . Tim*» and Sydney Sua Services. London, Dec. 7. '■ The Times' Parisian correspondent writes that Germany paved the way in Persia by installing commercial agents at the ports, and consuls throughout the country. German agents who professed to be scientific travelling enthusiasts enjoyed the hospitality of the British consulate while they were really paid agents aiming at the destruction of British influence. Shortly before the war the German consulates opened out with many wellarmed retainers, impressing the Orientals. Daredevils were brought from the village* and armed. _ After the war broke out, many German and Austrian officers collected at the consulate and brought gold, ammunition, and machine-guns, and tried, •with varying fortune, to get in caravans with gold and arms. A wireless station was installed and German war bulletins issued everywhere. The Persians were impressed by the lavish outlay of money and the display of German arms.

In September the British consul was shot'and the gendarmes did hot act. Warnings were given that no British life was safe, and the whole colony, including the occupants of the schools, hospitals, and banks, travelled by caravan for nineteen days in terrible heat to the Persian Gulf. The Germans were thus left supreme. The British consul called on a friendly chieftain, and was astonished to find the Ispahan representative of the German Emperor smoking the chieftain's tobacco. There could have been no better illustration of the German policy. No atone was left unturned to gain their ends. <