File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎239v] (110/280)

liar in his attitude —see interview in the Persian newspaper
copy of which is being sent to you. We support Ain-ed-Dowleh,
gendarmerie, and the Bakhtiaris. Russians are now opposed
to Ain-ed-Dowleh: talk of limiting the gendarmerie by keeping
them out of the north and are becoming jealous of our friend
liness with the Bakthiaris. Ain-ed-Dowleh is held in office by us^
and will do anything for us. H. M. G. are negotiating about
the Gendarmerie at Petersburg with a view to their being
employed throughout Persia. Russia wants Cossack brigade
to be increased so that they may take place of the gendarmerie
in the north. Bakhtiaris are all well in hand. Their recent
appointments to Isfahan and Kerman and the return of the
Illkhani 1 ) to his duties were brought about by this legation.
Shaokats appointment to Seistan and Hashmat-ul-Mulk’s
arrest 2 ) were arranged through Ain-ed-Dowleh's subserviency.
Regents’ main object is to crown Shah next July and to leave
country. He feared that new Mejlis might vote postponement
of the Shah’s majority involving the Regent’s resignation and
the election of a tool of their own: he therefore put off elec
tions so that opening of the Mejlis might be as near coronation
as possible: Tehran elections are now completed. Democratic
element is entirely eliminated. Provincial elections will follow
at once but Tabriz is almost certain to refuse to send deputies 3 ).
Position at Tabriz is most unsatisfactory owing to attitude
of defiance and the independence of Shuja supported by Russia.
Persian Govt’s financial difficulties are very great. Mor-
nard is doing good work. It is hard to find money for the gen
darmerie whose budget now amounts to about £ 600,000 per
annum.
) The chief Khan of the Bachtiars: Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Jang to whom was
intrusted the maintenace of security of the so-called “Lynch Road”.
) The Persians mentioned here are old rivals: Shaokat passes as Anglo
phile, hence his nomination as Governor of Seistan. Hashmat-ul-Mulk who
vas arrested at the instigation of England is reactionary and Russophile.
3 ) As already mentioned, the usurper of Tabriz, the Russian protege
Shuja-ed-Dowleh prevented the parliamentary elections in Tabriz, from
taking place.