File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎225v] (82/280)

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it — extorted from Persia the agreement that no railway con
cessions must be granted 1 ).
It cannot therefore be a matter of surprise that indignant
Persia declined the new Anglo-Russian loan 2 ) and tried to
meet the ever increasing financial needs of the country by the
flotation ol an internal loan of £ 1.000,000. Behind this refusal
stood the increasing indignation of the whole country with ^
patronizing attitude of the two neighbouring empires, which
was in opposition to all international law and usage. It need
not be said that the driving power of this national movement
were the supporters of the most prominent and capable
members of parliament, men whom the report of the English
minister [Nov. 1909 3 )] attested to be men of integrity who
should become a useful force for reform if led properly by
capable party leaders. But as they as patriots would not
agree to anti-Persian politics. Marling, the English charge
d’affaires makes this unbending parliamentary party respon
sible for the wrecking of the Anglo-Russian plans, identical in
his opinion with Persian welfare. He cables to London in
comical anger on July 24 th , 1910 “they have sacrificed the
interests of the country to their unjustified mistrust of the
motives of the two Governments 4 )”.
The necessarily negative policy of Parliament would natu
rally increase the chaos which an empty exchequer produces
anywhere. Russian interference (the characteristic case ofDarab
Mirza 5 ) 1910 — may just be mentioned) seemed practically to
authorize unruly tribes (which had from time immemorial
thieatened the security of Persian caravan-routes), to increase
their means of existence at the expense of the weak govern
ment by extensive raiding expeditions.
Month after month the lamentable spectacle is repeated:
the Persian Government to whom England denies the means
) English Blue Books Persia No. i (1911) No. 81 further No. 91 and
No. 106 where it is confirmed that Russia and England must be consulted
before other powers are granted concessions!
~) Grey (English Blue Books Persia No. 1 (1911) No. 107 calls these
extortionate terms "very moderate".
) English Blue Books Persia No. 1 (1910) No. 269.
) English Blue Books Persia No. x (1911) No. 133.
5 ) See Shuster, Strangling of Persia, p. 45.
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