File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎281v] (194/280)

130
the waters of the Karan from a source near the Kuh-i-Rang
into the Isfahan Plain.
The Cabinet is very disunited on the various questions,
but more especially upon the method that should be adopted
to protest against Russian action in the Province of Azerbaijan,
where the G. G . l ) under Russian protection, has made himself,
practically independent of the Tehran Government and where/
under orders from St. Petersburg, the Russian Consulate
General collects the land tax from Russian subjects, protected
persons, and from Persians who have leased their lands to
such persons. The same mode of collection has been put in force
in other places in the Russian zone. Post Offices have also been
opened by Russia at Tehran, Tabriz and, it is said, at Meshed.
Reports received from the provinces show that the elections
are proceeding very slowly, and there would appear to be but
small hope that the necessary quorum of the new Majliss will
be present in Tehran in time for the Shah to take the constitu
tional oath before that body. It is therefore proposed to have
recourse to a mixed assembly of the old and new Majliss for the
purpose, a somewhat doubtful proceeding which may possibly
give rise in the future to a question as to the validity of the
Coronation. The Regent is, however, determined that the
ceremony must not be postponed, and proposed to leave for
Europe immediately after it. It is not clear who will form the
first Cabinet of the new reign. The Russians strongly support
Saad - ud - Dowleh, but there is reason to believe that the
young Shah favours rather Mustofi-ul-Mamalek.
There is reason to believe that London and St. Petersburg
are about to go thoroughly into the Persian question, with
a view to seeing in what way it may be necessary to revise or
qualify the understanding of 1907 in such a manner as to meet
present requirements. The necessity for this action has been
caused by the attitude lately assumed by Russia in N. Persia,
and also partly perhaps by the fact that H. M. G., by the
arrangement recently made with the A. P. O. C. 2 ), has assumed
certain fresh responsibilities in S. Persia which must be pro
tected.
x ) Governor General.
2 ) Anglo-Persian-Oil-Company.