The situation at Tabriz is serious, as the Royalist and
anti- Royalist forces are no nearer bringing the fighting to a conclusion. Supplies are cut off from the town, which is threatened with economic ruin, though, as the Times special correspondent says, famine may be staved off so long as the abundant fruit-supply lasts. The commander of the Shah's troops, who is an ex-brigand, appears to be bullying the town
under the pretext of restoring order. The erratic firing of the inexpert artillerists is a danger to all non-combatants. Royalist reinforcements are hastening to the town. Mean- while little is hoped of the Consuls' scheme for a settle- ment. The correspondent, in a message published on Thursday, says that even if this is presented to the Shah by the Legations at Teheran, it is doubtful whether he will accept it. The Teheran correspondent of the Times describes in Thursday's paper the ceremony at which the Shah's officials offered a full apology for having placed troops round the British Legation. The promise of security for the refugees at the Legation was held back till the British Chargé d'Affaires pressed for it. A Persian official then produced it in writing, and already signed by the Shah, out of his pocket.
