The Cairo bulletin., 1912-03-24
PARL|MENT WILL
TAKE Up FOREIGN
RELATIONS soon
English Government to 60 Over
Pacts With Russia and Other
Countries, is Belief

London, March 2S.--Foreign rcla-
tions are certain 10 occupy good
deal OF attention during the present
session OF the British Parliament, de-
spite the heavy bill OF local legisla-
ton forecast in the Kings speech,
On the Government side of the
House of Commons there is small
but very busy body OF members
whose great interest is foreign poll
tics They have not been at all sat
istied with the way in which Edward
Grey has been carrying on his office
and they frequently criticise him.
Thus far their chief grievance has
been the treatment OF Persia by
Great Britain and Russia.
So persistent have they been that
Sir Edward in a recent speech occu-
pied considerable time in replying
to them. He contended that there
had been tendency to review the
Anglo-Russian agreemnt from a
wrong point OF view. Great Britain
ad not assumed any new responsible
ties under that agreement as some
ieemed to believe Great Britain
rad always wished to see the intes
ity OF Persia preserved, so that the
agreement in that respect was not
IN increase of responsibility.
Russia had obtained a dominant
interest in Northern Persia long be-
ore the agreement was made, and
read into the agreement an object
work against Russian influence
n that part of the country was 10
cad into II something entirely con-
rary to the spirit OF he agreemeu.
Sir Edward reminded his critics that
he agreement dealt with Afgranistan
nd Thibet as we'll as Persia, couu-
RES over which there had been fire.
uent diplomatic tension between
england and Russia To remove
hat tension was the real reason for
he agreement, and in this respect it
ad fulfilled expectations.
Besides having brought about BET
err relations between England and
russia, the agreement would greatly
improve the condition OF Persia
ertainly had it not been for the
tgreement matters would have been
uuch worse there. When the agree
'ent was made Persia was on the
We OF revolution, was falling into
haOs, and the Government was
n
.greement when the revelation broke
Ut Russia would have pushed on TO
'ehran and consolidate her influence
n Northern Persia. England would
ave had no security that that influ-
nee would not have been used To
ush on strategic movements. rail
way extensions and so forth to the
indian frontier, and she would have
cen pressed to take measures in the
erritory bordering on the Indian
rontier to secure herself against
Military aggression and strategic
xpaHsion on the part OF Russia.
here would have been continual fric-
ion and, said Sir Edward, Lord
Ialdane would be asking for in
reasad army estimates to provide
or further strengthening OF our
osition on the Indian frontier"
The Government, Sir Edward said
as opposed to sending British
roops to protect the trade routes in
he South and he believed the de-
ision was well taken The trouble
hare had been caused by the pres
nee OF the ex-Shah and now that
,ussia and England had under
AIKEN to see him out Of the country
'ersa herself would be able to pro-
ect trade In the North Russia was
Withdrawing her troops and had
iven definite evidence of her inten-
on and desire not to embark on any
"manent occupation OF Persian
-rtory,