'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎79r] (141/236)

121
No. 119.
Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey.—[Received June 9.)
S ir, Gulahek, May 21, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith the usual monthly summary of events in
Persia for the past four weeks.
1 have &e.
(Signed) ’ CHABLES M. MABLING.
Inclosure in No. 119.
Monthly Summary of Events in Persia.
Tehran.
ONT the whole, the situation at Tehran during the last four weeks has been quieter
than usual. There is undoubtedly a feeling of considerable depression among the public,
and it is recognized by the more intelligent Persians that the machinery of Government
is now practically dislocated. The general public, however, still have an exaggerated
faith in their £C Constitution,” which has unfortunately already shown signs of
corruption.
In anticipation of the Shah’s birthday on the 15th May, a very conciliatory rescript
was addressed by His Majesty to the Assembly the previous day, which brought about
the expected reaction of feeling in favour of the Shah. The usual celebrations took
place, in marked contrast to the hostile demonstrations of last year due to an openly
reactionary policy.
The Cabinet resigned on the 2nd May, and was reappointed on the 6th May, with
the alteration of Mustaufi-ul-Mamalek in place of Zafar-es-Sultaneh as War Minister.
In consequence, however, of the Premier’s resignation again on the 16th May, a further
redistribution of posts is imminent.
Nizam-es-Sultaneh, who had become exceedingly unpopular, fled to Kum on the
17th May.
On the 16th May the Shah addressed a very cordial personal telegram to the
Nasr-ul-Mulk, who is travelling in Europe, inviting him to return to Persia as Prime
Minister, but it is considered doubtful whether his Excellency will avail himself of
the offer.
Two persons who had shown active hostility to the reform movement were condemned
to long terms of imprisonment, after a form of trial had been gone through at the Courts
of Justice. One of them had been guilty of sticking up posters declaring that most of
the Members of the Assembly were Babis.
(Signed) G. P. CHUBCHILL,
Oriental Secretary.
May 21, 1908.
Meshed.
There has been much friction between the local Assembly and the municipality.
There appears to be a gradual weakening of authority, but the town is quiet.
Turhat-i-Haidai i.
The feeling against the local Assembly has proved too much for that body. All
the members joined in a Petition to the Governor-General to appoint a Governor for
the district. All classes unite in condemning the existing state of affairs, and express
themselves hopeless of obtaining any benefit from k£ constitutional rule.
Two bands of robbers which had infested the Tabbas district were dispersed
during April.
Yezd.
Serdar Motazid, the new Governor of Kerman, met on the 7th April near Anar
a party of forty robbers who were carrying off 1,200 sheep and much plundered