The fighting between Russians and Persians at Tabriz, which we
recorded last week, has ended and the Russians have taken over the control of the town. According to their accounts the Pedals attacked a comparatively small Russian force, and if the fighting had continued another day the whole force would have been annihilated. As it was the Russian casualties are said to have been about two hundred. The Russians have executed sonic of the leaders of the rising, including the very high clerical functionary Sikat-ul-Islam. We refrained last week from mentioning any of the details of alleged massacres at Tabriz, as we were sceptical as to the truth of all these incidents. We are now informed that there were no massacres, no outrages, and no reprisals whatever. The worst that seems to have happened was that some Persians were accidentally killed in the street fighting. Many women and children sought shelter in the Russian camp and were well treated. The Russian troops in Persia do not number, accord- ing to the St. Petersburg correspondent of the Times, more than 9,000. The troops at Kazvin, about ninety miles from Teheran, arc being slowly withdrawn. This is an important fact, as it suggests that, now that Mr. Shuster has been dis- missed, the Russians have no further thought of advancing on the capital. Captain Douglas and Captain Birdwood, in com- mand of the Sowers in Southern Persia, have joined hands. Apparently a continuance of serious trouble is not feared, as the Times correspondent at Teheran says that further landing at Bushire is not contemplated.
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