ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 43, 19 February 1908, Page 5

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

DEBATE OH AGREEMENT. AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN. LONDON, February 18. In the House of Commons Earl Percy (Conservative member for Kensington J Sooth and formerly Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) moved— That while welcoming the principle of the Anglo-Russian Convention, the House considers that the terms involve a material sacrifice of British interests and leave room for international misunderstandings. Sir Edward Grey (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) in a masterly reply declared that the agreement made the peace of the world more secure. He denied that Great Britain had, as asserted, sacrificed great commercial prospects in PersiaStrategic considerations had, he admitted, been paramount with the Government, and he thought that danger to India through Persia was now very remote. He explained that if a special provision had been inserted respecting the Persian Gulf it could only have affected the Persian side of the gulf, whereas in future probably the side would be more important. The right of the Ameer to develop Afghanistan as he pleased, Sir Edward Grey explained, was not restricted, and the British position in Tibet remained unaltered. Mr. Balfour (Leader of the Opposition) declared that the Government had not scored a great diplomatic success, though he admitted it would be a strategic gain if the agreement prevented Leistan from becoming a base for attacking India. Mr. Morley (Secretary of State for India) described the Convention as a most momentous instrument in the defence of India. The motion was eventually withdrawn.,