The papers of Tuesday published a statement from the Foreign
Office as to the conversations between Sir Edward Grey and M. Saionoff. No new political agreement—that is to say, no rewriting of the Anglo-Russian Convention:=Was discussed. Neither Power had any intention or desire to partition Persia. In order to facilitate the withdrawal of foreign troops from Persia both Powers "are carefully con-- sidering how they could best assist in strengthening the Persian Government for the purpose of enabling the latter to re-establish order and to secure the safety of the trade routes." It was added that both M. Sazonoff and Sir Edward Grey had found themselves in complete accord in a desire to work for peace. We shall, of course, be told that this is "eye- wash," " mere diplomatic convention," "a piece of insipid official insincerity," and so forth. As a matter of fact it represents, we believe, no more and no less than the truth.
Previous page
