RUSSIA AND BRITAIN. THE RECENT AGREEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1908, Page 5

RUSSIA AND BRITAIN. THE RECENT AGREEMENT.

INTERESTING DEBATE. TERMINATING A LONG AND USELESS STRUGGLE. I B/ Telegraph,— lYcrs Association.— Cop.vricht. LONDON, 7th February. An interesting debate took place yesterday in the House of Lords on tho Anglo-Russian, agreement. Lord Curzon (late Viceroy of India) said he was rejoiced to see harmonious relations established with Russia. Referring to tho Persian spheres of influence, ho severely criticised the concessions mrde lo Russia, especially the ono involving the admission of the Cdspian as a Russian' sea. British commercial and oth?r interests in the greater part of Persia would be sacrificed unless the agreement contained Russian assurances f.bout the Persian Gulf. He declared that the commission htd been most unfortunate, and, personally, he did not feel that the agreement would conduce to the security of India, tho prosperity of Persia, or tho peace cf Asia. Britain had gained nothing in Afghanistan iv return for the substantial concessions she had made. Although Russia had admitted that Thibet was outside her sphere of influence, the agreement had conceded to Russia equal rights to Britain, whoso predominance in Thibet had been thrown away. Lord Cromoy (formerly British Minister Plenipotentiary to Egypt) supported tho agreement. Lord Fitzmauricp, Under-Sccretary for Foreign Affairs, said that v concessions had been miit'o to Russia, corresponding advantages had bi>en secured by Britain, and tho agi cement would termini ts the long and useless struggle with Russia. .Some of tho most important trade routes in Persia wero Ftill in British hands, nnd Britain's position in tho Persian Gulf was well defined. Any mention of thi3 matter in the agreement would not have- strengthened ifc. for Britain's relations to Iho Gulf were 'not arguable. Resrardinf: Thibet, Lord Fitzmaurice said he had followed his predecessor's policy. Tho debate was adjourned. Tho main feahireG of tho' treaty between Russia mid Grent Britain are : — 1. The division of Persia into throe spheres of commercial influence, a north- | em Russia's, a middle neutral, and a southern sphere Britain's. '• 2. Britain'"! predominance in Afghanistan rscognisc-d. 3. Neither country to intercfviic in Thibet.