Having explained the drawbacks of inserting a special provision about
the Persian Gulf and defended the pledges which we had given with regard to Afghanistan, Sir Edward Grey maintained that the Government had seized on the opportunity for improving our relations with Russia, knowing that if the opportunity were missed it might not return. If, as he trusted, confidence grew up between the two countries as the result of the Convention, the advantages would immensely outweigh the drawbacks. Sir Edward Grey's speech was listened to with marked atten- tion, and made a most favourable impression. In the debate which followed Lord Ronaldshay declared that the Agreement would discourage British trade and diminish British prestige. The safeguarding of Seistan was a work of supererogation. Mr. Lynch, from the Liberal benches, also criticised the Convention with great asperity as sacrificing British commercial interests and inspiring deep resentment among the Persians. On the other hand, Mr. Balfour, while expressing strong disapproval of many details, admitted that the strategic advantages secured by the provisions relating to Seistan were of genuine value. Of the other speeches, we can only mention that of Mr. Morley, who vigorously defended the Convention as first and foremost an Indian Treaty, and an instrument of most momentous importance. What was vital and beyond question was the gratifying fact that the responsible leaders on both sides in both Houses were agreed in supporting the convention, and it was important that foreign Powers should realise that the Motion involved no serious consequences to the future policy of this country.
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