'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎47v] (78/236)

Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey.—[Received October 28 .)
Sir, Tehran, October 10, 1907.
THE profound change brought about by the defection from the Shah’s party of the
reactionary leaders, of which you were apprised by Sir C. Spring-Rice in his telegram
of the 2nd instant, is, I think, of sufficient interest to warrant a detailed account
of the circumstances attending it.
There was little on the surface to indicate the sudden volte-face of the reactionaries.
The chief cause must undoubtedly be reckoned to be fear. The murder of the Atabeg,
which was the immediate cause of Sani-ed-Dowleh’s resignation, and the suspicion that
the sudden death of Mushir-ed-Dowleh was not due to natural causes, had unquestion
ably produced a very deep effect. The case of Nasr-ed-Din Shah notwithstanding, it
may be said that the ruling classes have for long been exempt from assassination at the
hands of the lower orders, so that the above-mentioned events, coupled with the
consciousness of the existence of Secret Societies whose members were ready to sacrifice
their lives for what they were led to believe to be their country’s good, could hardly
fail to make an impression. The Shah, who had been obliged to hush up an inquiry
into the Atabeg’s death, was, moreover, obviously incapable of protecting them ; and
the ever-increasing popular hatred of the autocratic regime gave cause for apprehension
that the vast riches accumulated by many of the reactionaries under the old system
might some day be resumed by the Government in the name of the people. In the
circumstances, then, it is not surprising that the reactionary leaders should have thought
it prudent to throw in their lot—at all events, formally—with the Nationalists. The
three principal actors on the Constitutionalist side were the President of the Assemblv,
Ala-ed-Dowleh, and Amir-i-Azam, a nephew of Ain-ed-Dowleh and a young man of
some strength of character. On their invitation a meeting of the highest Notables in
Persia, including several members of the Kajar family, though none of the immediate
relatives of the Shah, was held at Ala-ed-Dowleh’s house in Tehran on the 27th ultimo
to consider the situation. Exactly what passed or what arguments w r ere used to
persuade the reactionaries is not accurately known, but in the result a Memorial
expressing the views of the meeting in the most uncompromising terms was drawn up
for presentation to the Shah. It stated plainly that persistence in his present attitude
of hostility to the Assembly would endanger the Shah’s throne and the dynasty ; that
the petitioners had made up their minds as patriots to work loyally with the Medjliss ;
and that unless the Shah consented to do likewise they could no longer remain his
servants. I he Shah returned a verbose answer, which, in spite of the vagueness of its
terms, was held to be a complete surrender.
The same morning the whole of the reactionary party attended the Assembly,
and, headed by Jelal-ed-Dowleh, the eldest son of the Zil-es-Sultan, took an oath
to be loyal to the Constitution.
It is early yet to forecast how long the alliance will last, but Persian opinion seems
to be that, for the moment at all events, the reactionaries are sincere enough, and that
the Medjliss has scored an important and lasting victory.
I have, &e.
(Signed) CHARLES M. MARLING.
No. 54.
M)\ Marling to Sir Edward Grey .’^[Received October 28.)
^ Tehran, October 10 1907*
DURING the past month the general condition of Persia has not improved,
from the provincial towns, with few exceptions, reports show that there is less
security for life and property, while the general lawlessness in the country has not
diminished. The authority of the Central Government is almost nil, and at best can
only be exercised through the local Anjumen, and its influence with these bodies
cannot always be counted on.
. ± lr }. the ca P ital > however, the prospects are somewhat brighter. The reform party
is at tins moment certainly far stronger than it has ever been Wee the opening of the
Me ijhss just a year ago. Ihey have succeeded in winning over the whole of the
reactionary party, and it seems reasonable to hope that the Shah will now, left as he