'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎39v] (62/236)

fair C. Spring-Hice to Sii' Edward Grey.—(Received August 6.)
gj rj Gulahek, July 19, 1907.
1 HAVE the honour to transmit herewith the monthly summary of events in
Persia, which has been prepared by Mr. Churchill.
Yon will observe that the disorders in the country are slightly on the increase, but
do not as yet menace the safety of foreigners, whom the popular party are anxious to
protect, for fear of foreign intervention.
The proceedings of the Assembly show a marked increase in the dignity and
orderliness of the procedure, but the conflict with the Government, and especially with
the Shah, is becoming more accentuated. No real progress has been made in the
proposed reforms. The Atabeg appears now to have given up hope of cordial
co-operation with the Assembly, and the Shah’s hostility is no longer concealed. Fresh
elections are spoken of.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CECIL SPEING-KICE.
Inclosure in No. 34.
Extract from Monthly Summary of Events.
General Situation.
THE general condition of the whole country is undoubtedly bad, and is probably
slightly worse than last month. The disturbances at Tehran have been chiefly brought
about by artificial means to serve the purposes of the reactionaries. There seems,
however, no reason to regard it as dangerous, though the Government has every
appearance of being bankrupt, and artificial demonstrations are of daily occurrence.
There is so far no reason to fear an outbreak and consequent danger to foreign lives or
property, though isolated cases of robberies and other crimes are occasionally reported
from some of the provinces, especially in the north-west.
It is on record that in 1892 and 1893, during the last years of Nasr-ed-Din Shah’s
reign, the situation was very similar from much the same causes, though there was then
no Russian debt and no Assembly.
At Tehran a movement, headed by a prominent mollah, in opposition to the
Assembly was subsidized by the Shah and his reactionary entourage. At one moment
it seemed likely that an open conflict and bloodshed would occur, and this was only
averted by the sagacity of the Liberal leaders.
The want of money, which chiefly affects the Government and a section of the
official and mercantile classes, is being used in the usual way as a lever to obtain foreign
financial assistance. The Russian Loan Coupon, due the 14th July, has been paid, but
the interest on the debts of the Government in current account—to the Russian Bank,
at about 12 per cent., 500,000/. ; to the Imperial Bank, at about 12 per cent., 400,000/.;
as well as about the same total due to Persian bankers—remain unpaid.
The soldiers have been demonstrating for arrears of pay, but this yvas probably
artificial, as it is no new feature. Some native bankers, who have large claims from the
Government now overdue more than three years, took refuge at the Atabeg’s house,
having probably been invited to do so. A large number of Government servants made
a demonstration in the Artillery Square for arrears of pay, but were induced to return to
their work under promises of a speedy settlement of their claims.
Azerbaijan.
. situation at Tabreez itself is apparently calmer, but outbreaks have occurred at
Zenjan and Ardebil. At the former place the people wrecked Government House and
ejected their Governor. At Ardebil there has been considerable bloodshed, and it is
reported that over 100 people were killed and wounded early in Julv. Both outbreaks
were apparently due to the elections.