'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎58v] (100/236)

supply no sowars unless Government were prepared to find the necessary money. Ihe
Shuja-ul-Mulk quoted poetry, and said that he and his brother had been robbed by an
oppressive Government, and now not a single Hazara sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. ever remained. If,
however, Government would find the funds, he and his brother could together raise
200 men.
The Lashkar-navis-bashi said that there were plenty of men, but no money. He
added pathetically that of course many of these men existed only on paper, and ol those
that did actually exist many had withered hearts, and so could go on service only if the
special grace of God were to descend upon them.
Finally the Medjliss resolved that the Government should be called upon to furnish
these Chiefs with the necessary funds, and that then the latter should give an under
taking to produce the fully-equipped sowars. A letter was accordingly sent to the
Governor-General instructing him to find the money required.
Meanwhile the Ruku-ud-Dole had been receiving urgent telegrams from Tehran
pressing him to take action. He also wired repeatedly to the Shah in person, askingfor
help and instructions, but failed to elicit any reply. Then he held a long consultation
with the Vizier and the Salar-ul-Mukurram, the result of which was that they
proceeded in a body to the store-rooms and took out a considerable quantity of rifle
ammunition for dispatch to the Governor of Sabzawar. It is reported, however, that
no rifles were sent, as these had all been previously removed by the Asaf-ud-Dole
and the Muzuffer-ul-Nizam and sold for their private profit. Further, two guns have
been ordered from Meshed to Sabzawar, and 500 of the Kerai regiment (infantry) from
Turbat-i-Haidari. One hundred cavalry have also been ordered from the latter place,
but it is doubtful whether these will be forthcoming.
No. 84.
Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey .—{Received December 23.)
Sir, Tehran, December 4, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith the monthly summary of events in
Persia for the last four weeks, as well as a summary of the proceedings of the Persian
National Assembly for the same period.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES M. MARLING.
Inclosure 1 in No. 84.
Extract from Monthly Summary of Events in Persia,
Tehran.
THE principal subject of interest at Tehran during the month under review has
been the struggle between the Shah and the Assembly, which is reported upon fully
elsewhere.
A serious affray occurred on the 21st November between some soldiers of a
native regiment under Amir Behadur and some Cossacks under Colonel Liakhoffi
On the 27th November some soldiers under Zafar-es-Sultaneh shot two men in the
streets of Tehran while under the influence of drink. The bodies of the victims were
taken to the house of the Mujtehed Seyed Abdullah, and the bazaars were temporarily
closed.
Several cases of violent assault and robbery in the streets of Tehran have been
reported during the month, and in one case a European was threatened.
Early in November His Majesty’s Legation heard of the impending departure
of Prince Seif-ed-Dowleh to Kermanshah as Governor, notwithstanding the promise
given by the Prime Minister that he would not be reappointed to that post in view of
his unfriendly attitude to us. Renewed representations were immediately made, and
his departure was prevented.
(Signed) G. P. CHURCHILL,
Acting Oriental Secretary.