Lord Carnarvon, on Monday, made a speech on the treat-
ment of Baron Reuter and his Persian concession by the British Government, which he accused of throwing over enterprises highly conducive to our influence in Persia, and was supported by Lord Napier of Ettrick, in an odd speech, in which he tried to show, first, that England would be benefited by Persia's dis- solution ; and secondly, that we ought to be magnanimous, and help her. Lord Carnarvon had, however, raised the more practical point that M. Reuter might seek Russian support, and_ Lord Granville in his reply did not answer this ques- tion. He said that he had refused material support, and did not know what moral support meant. He had never opposed the 'undertaking, and did not see the lions in the way. The meaning of all that is that M. Reuter is to do as he likes, and instead of taking his assistants from the crowds of Indian officers wanting work, must take them from Russia, which will thus explore Persia thoroughly, besides flooding her with soldiers in the guise -of sappers for the works, a situation very disastrous for our trade, which M. Reuter can at any moment put under heavy duties. For- tunately, however, the Indian Government is not the English, knows what it is about, and if alarmed, will have little scruple in making Persia a disagreeable place of residence both for Baron Reuter and the Russians. The Parsees who know Persia do not love the Shah.
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