OCCUPATION OF TABRIZ.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3410, 29 December 1911, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF TABRIZ.

RUSSIANS IN FORCE. THEIR FLAC HAULED. FURTHER SKIRMISHING. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT] (Received Dec. 28, 9.40 p.m.) ST. PETERSBURG,, pec. fBl Two telephone lineß corraecting.Tabriz and Julfa have been cut. Two hundred Caucasian.Fidais tribesmen fled to Karadagh, " with-, the intent tion to cross the Russian frontier I .' r A company of Russian Rifles are quartered in the citadel at Tabriz. TheRussian flag has been hoisted. A company of the Fifth Chasseurs artillery detachment forced their way by skirmishing through Baghichemal ; a suburb of Tabriz, to join the Russian encampment. There were ninety Caucasians arrested at Baker in attempting to enter Pergia to participate in disturbances. FICHTINC RECOMMENCED. RUSSIAN CONSULATE MEMBERS KILLED. (Received Dec. 29, 12.25 a.m.) • TEHERAN," Dec. 28- , The fighting at Tabriz has recommenced, Five in the Russian Consulate were killed, and four wounded. - BRITISH CONSUL’S PLIGHT. RELIEF DESPATCHED. The British Consul, Mr Smart, is lying wounded outside Kazerun and medical aid has been despatched. His escort consisted of fifty Sowars and fifty others from Sharaz had joined them. The assailants were eight hundred Kashgai tribesmen. A hundred Sowars from Bushire have now been sent to relieve the party at Kazerun. The infantry at Jask and all available' ships have been ordered to Busbire. _ A British punitive expedition is thought likely. Southern Persia Is in a state of ferment and insurrection. CHASTISEMENT OF OFFENDERS. RUSSIAN STEPS TO BE TAKEN. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 28. It is semi-officiallv stated that owing to Persia’s inability to chastise those guilty of acts of foolhardy aggression and brutal tortures and outrages against the Russians at Tabriz, Resht and Enzeli, the Russian commanders wifi be instructed to adopt, in concert with Russian Consuls, most stringent measures of punishment, and remove once and for all the causes of such acts. The measures will include the court martialling of all Russian or Persian participators in the attacks on _ the troops, the disarmament of the Fidais and other troublesome native elements, and the destruction of places where resistance might be offered. Other steps may likewise be taken, if necessary, to secure the restoration of order and chastisement of offenders.

BRITISH CONSUL MISSINC.

PARTY ATTACKED BY ROAD GUARDS.

TEHERAN, Dee. 27, Mr. Smart, British Consul, travelling from Bushire to Shiraz, escorted by Indian sowars, had a desperate fight with, the Kashgai road guards. The sowars fought their way to Kazerus. Mr Smart is missing. His horse has been found wounded. A mob at Tabriz broke into the Go-vernor-General’s palace and tore down the flags, cursing the Democrats’ constitution. They maltreated the Governor’s deputy/ Prince Amanulla, who took refuge m the British Consulate, and Amir Khichmet, leader of the Fidais at Tabriz, fled from the town. Persia has promised to exchange views with the British and Russian Legations before appointing foreign advisers. A fresh attack on Indian sowars has been made at Kalerun. Two were killed. PERSIA NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. TEHERAN, Dec. 2". The director of the Persian Department of the Foreign Office, on being interviewed, declared that Russia was convinced that the Persian Government was not associated with _ the antiRussian outbreaks at Tabriz and elsewhere. The authors of the Caucasian outbreaks were principally Armenian criminals posing as political agitators. He adds: “Three thousand five hundred Russian troops are going to Tabriz.” THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. The cause of the trouble was as follows : —The Treasurer-General of Persia (Mr Morgan Shuster), who is an American, sent a party to seize the property of Sliua-es-Sultaneh, brother of the exShah, in default of payment of taxes. The officials of the Russian Consulate, claiming that the property had been mortgaged to the Russian Bank, threatened to fire on the party if they entered the property. Mr Shuster next day notified the Russian Minister at the capital of his intentions, and sent 100 gendarmes, under the command, of an American military officer, to seize the property. On this occasion the Russian Vice-Consul (M. Peterliof) contented himself with making a protest against the seizure. Russia notified Persia! that, unless she apologised for the insult offered to the Vice-Consul, she world occupy the provinces of Ghilan and MazandeVan, on the borders of the Caspian Sea. Upon receipt of the note the Regent and his Cabinet resigned, but the Mcjliss (National Council) met, and passed a. vote of confidence in Mr Shuster. The provinces of_ Ghilan and Mazanderan. which Russia threatened to occupy, are situated on the of the Caspian Sea, the former adjoining Russian* Turkestan. According to th new edition of the Encyclopaedia B taunicn, Ghilan was an indepeiv '•'innate until 1567, when it be Persian. In 1723 the reigning whose capital was in the hand Afghans, ceded Ghilan to T Great, together with Mazar other provinces, on conditu drove the out of remained in Rur 'sham when they wee it. Tlie trade Ghilan is pri' lan exports caviaire, fru*. provinces expo: lan bos valuaV leased to a Rr We t ' .1 \vle * V-e?