The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-29
BRITISH CONSUL
 SAFE AT KAZEREON Persia Expresses Regret
 Over Unfortunate Affair VERY APPREHENSIVE
Shuster Remains at Teheran Awaiting Arrival of Successor - Report Denied That Russian Troops
 Have Entered Mongolia

London, December 29-I.atest news received here indicate that affairs IT Persia are more quiet. The Persian gov ernment has apologized for the outrage against Consul Smart, whose safety is assured, and has taken measures to stave off a British punitive expedi- tion.
 In Calcutta the belief is held that an expedition will be sent to occupy Sha- rig, It is understood that the precise form the British action will take will be decided al Calcutta tomorrow after a consultation with the home govern ment.
 The British government during the last year or two has had to complain so frequently to Persia of outrages, | robberies and murders in southern Per sia, which the Persian authorities seem helpless to prevent that there is lit- tie debate that energetic measures will now be taken. for the protection of British traders in this district | King George is due to arrive at Cal cutta tomorrow and his presence may influence the deciison. While it is be- | lieved Russia is pursuing a firm poi icy in the Tabriz district, details of the measures taker are still unknown. Teheran, December 2S-The British con- sul, W. A. Smart, who was wounded in an engagement between his India es- cort and 500 Kashga tribesmen, is safe, | having ben brought from a caravansary where he received medical attention, to Kazereon. The Persian foreign minister today called on the British consul and expressed deep regret on behalf of the | regent for the incident. He informed the British minister that measures had been taken to insure Consul Smart's safe ar rival at his post at Shiraz and punish ment for the offenders
 The Persian government is extremely lapprehensive lest Great Britain consider the incident justification for punitive expedition which might lead to prolonged, perhaps to permanent occupation of southern Persia.
 w. Morgan Sinister, the American. who was dismissed from the office of treas urer general is still awaiting notifica- ton of the appointment of his successor. He has suggested the selection of r. E. Cairns who was his principal American assistant, to act in the interim. This would enable MT. Shuster to leave within short time. If the suggestion is ac- cepted perhaps he will leave with his family in about 10 days. The only route by which he can return home is by way of Kasbin and Resht which are now in the possession of the Russian troops to Baku and through Russia.
 The telegraph lines to Tabriz have been restored and it is presumed that fighting in that district has ceased but all dis patches so far received from Tabriz are several days old and indicate that the Russians were in a desperate plight on Sunday and were awaiting reinforce ments. They effected a truce, which was held Monday, when heavy endorsements arrived and the Russians renewed their attacks.
 St. Petersburg, December 2S-The Rus sian foreign office denies the report that Russian troops have entered Mongolia. The idea of extending the Russian protec- torate over Mongolia exists in certain cir cles here but Russian diplomacy has so far been inactive and has adhered to the policy of non-interference in Chinese ar fairs.
 London, December 8.-The foreign of flee is not likely to take any step to embarrass Russia in the present crisis 1t is said. The British government may even find it necessary to send endorsements of troops from India to Southern Persia in consequence of the attack on British Consul Smart at Kazeroon, but a large punitive expedition is not at present con- templated.
 St. Petersburg. December 2S.-Appolnt- ment of U Russian governor and chief of police at Tabriz in Persia and assumption by Russians of the financial control of municipal affairs there, together with the institution of exclusively Russian courts, is foreshadowed today in the semi-offi- cial Bovo Vremyia. Wholesale arrests and courtmartial trials of participants in the attacks on the Russian troops are to take place, while the constitutionalists are to be disarmed and stern measures taken for the establishment of order in the northern parts of Persia where many of the towns are already occupied by Russian troops including Ennsli, Recht, Julia and Tabriz.
 London, December 29.--A Teheran dispatch to the Times says the British and Russian legations are definitely sup porting M. Mornard the Belgian ex- director of customs in Persia, for treas urer general. Colonel Smart is suf- fering from only a slight flesh wound in the thigh.