RUSSIA IN PERSIA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10959, 27 December 1911, Page 5

RUSSIA IN PERSIA.

POSITION" AI'PA Ll.l XG

[By Ft.F.rTr.tc Telegraph—Cnprßf.nT.j

(Pirn Press Association.) Received !)• < »-I:i*'i-*-r -'i. at I'.in. '["• -iii-ran. i).-0.-mber 23. Tile situatii.iL at Tabriz. is appalling. The Vict-( I. ivcrtiur. in - a message, .c.ivs: >uear before Cod I am innocent oi'wimiHi ami <-hildr-u being butchered, in cil.i bl.-od. I'll.- Russian* disregarded 'overtures tor a cessation of hostilitios." Tlie wirts an» interrupted, and the British and Russian Legations are unable to communicate ivith the consuls. Received December 26, at 9.40 n-.m. St. Petersburg, December 25. The Novoe Vremya quotes the Director of the Persian Department of the Foreign Office, saying that Russia must ta"kf the matter of justice into its own hands at Tabriz, Reslit and Kuzeli, and not show mercy to the revolutionary dregs shedding. Russiaa blood. The Novoe Vremya declares that wherever the Russians are _ attacked Russia must assume the administration of the whole population, and Persia must pay an indemnity to the families of Russian soldiers killed. Received December 26, at 11 P-™-London, December 26. The Times' Teheran correspondent telegraphing on the 24tli mentions fears of provincial disintegration, and adds that it has apparently been arranged that the Regent and Cabinet should conduct the administration, supported by British and Russian troops, at iyazvin, within telephone call of the capital. The Russian Legation has declared that the replv to the ultimatum is satisfactory, and has telegraphed to Tabriz that the question is settled, but the Russian general replied that lie would obey only the Viceroy of the Mr Shnster has assented to the ultimatum. _

The Regent, addressing a meeting of merchants who were summoned to the palace, declared that the Mejliss had impeded the actions of the administration. internally and externally, and must therefore be closed. A rescript annonnccd that the session has ended, but will be continued, but no mention is made of an election. The gates of the Mejliss are locked, and a guard has been mounted. Received December 27, at 9.30 a.m. St. Petersburg, December 26. One hundred and fifty Russians were killed and wounded at Tabriz. .The Fidais continue stubborn and audacious-

Received December 27, at 8.25 a.m. Teheran, December 26. The Russian attacks on Tabriz and Resht commenced almost simultaneously Many Government and 20 police officials at Resht were killed. The Consular reports indicate that the attack on Resht was begun by the Russian Consul* who is now Governor• Order has been restored. The massacre has been proceeding at Tabriz since Sunday, when 500 were killed,, including women and children. The people were exhorted not to give the slightest provocation, but the massacres continue. An official telegram states that the Russian outrage at Tabriz surpasses that at Tripoli. Houses were entered indiscriminately and women violated, in the presence of relatives. The artillery mowed down every living creature in the streets. . Fierce fighting continues, but tSUe Russians ore hard pressed, many having been killed. • The Persians are stupefied at Russia's attitude following npon Persia s acceptance of the second ultimatum and her manifestations of every desire to conciliate and establish friendly relations. - The Russian police dispersed an indignation meeting convened in the bazaar at Teheran to protest against the coup d'etat involved in the dissolution of the Mejliss. , The newspapers have been suppressed except one named the Mejliss, which supports the Cabinet. . Martial law has been proclaimedAdvices from Shiraz state that the Persian troops guarding the Kashgar road at Kazemn attacked a number or Indian sowars, killing one. A punitive partv was afterwards sent to the hills.