File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎230r] (91/280)

O’Beirne 1 ) that according to his view the Russian government
could not hold back any longer with measures of extreme
rigour which would be equivalent to “an occupation of Persian
territory’’.
The reasons which Neratof gave for this resolve had no
justification whatsoever, they could not have been clear even
the English diplomatist. They became apparent however in
the course of the conversation 2 ). It was Morgan Shuster’s too
successful activity which went counter to Russian interests.
“He (Neratof) complained strongly of that gentleman’s
attempt to obtain a control over the whole Persian administra
tion such as was quite incompatible with Russian interests."
And the classic words fell: “The Persian reforms must be pro
ceeded with gradually and in such a manner as to take Russian
interests into account.’’
Shuster was actually almost on the point of carrying order
into the Persian chaos. Far-reaching but well thought-out plans
of reform had been prepared by his energetic hand. Neither
Russia nor England, who in her blind hatred of Germany had
declared herself in agreement with every step of Russian policy
in Persia, could do with Persia reverting to secure conditions, a
Persia perhaps with its own railways, its own mines, with a
justly distributed taxation, with incorruptible ministers and a
gendarmerie serving pre-eminently Persian interests. Nothing
could deter Shuster and his ever encreasing body of helpers
from their planned out work — neither the disturbance caused
by the E^-shah and the princes in the north, nor the raids of
their half Russian Shahsevans and Turkomans, whose pay
ment by the injured Persian Government Russia and England
took steps to assure nor the interference with the people by
Anglo-Russian contingents of troops nor playing off Kawam-
ul-Mulk, the head of the Khamseh-tribes against the governor
of Ears and his follower Soulet-ed-Dowleh, the chief of the
Kashgai-tribe, nor constantly repeated demands for in
demnification for looting raids which in a sense were the answer
of nomadic tribes to Anglo-Russian presumption. There is no ble
mish on this work, behind whichparliament stood in serried ranks.
1 ) went down on the “Hampshire” with Lord Kitchener.
2 ) English Blue Books Persia No. 3 (1912) No. 45.