'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎97v] (178/236)

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safety of their subjects.” Pointing to Colonel Liakhoff, who stood by his side with a
native Cossack officer as interpreter, His Majesty added that the task of maintaining
order was intrusted to the Colonel, and was at that moment making arrangements with
him for this purpose. As to the second point, His Majesty desired us to convey his
assurances that he had had no quarrel with the Assembly, and that the steps he had
taken were directed against the revolutionary Anjumans and the disturbers of the peace
m general. His Majesty intended, he said, to observe the Constitution which he had
himself given to his people.
I then referred to the special desire of the Indo-European Telegraph Department*
and the Imperial Bank of Persia for extra guards. His Majesty promised that these
would be sent. As we retired Amir Behadur Jang, who had been present at the
audience, said he would himself send the necessary guards, and, calling up an aide-de-
camp, asked me to tell him my wants. The officer in question promised to send the
specified number of men the same evening, and this was punctually carried out.
The Shah had received us in the open air at the door of a small garden outside
the actual Bagh-i-Shah. ^ This garden had been found more convenient for the Royal
harem, the Bagh-i-Shah itself being used for the Court officials, and subsequently as the
prison m which the numerous political prisoners were detained.
^ 7 . , T ~ (Signed) G. P. CHURCHILL.
Gulahek, June 23, 1908.
Inclosure 2 in JS T o. 211.
Martial Law Proclamation of June 22, 1908.
(Published June 26/27, 1908.)
(Translation.)
AS fiom the 22nd June, 1908, Tehran and the other towns of the kingdom will be
under martiai law, therefore, for the suppression of mischief, the establishment of order
and the public tranquillity, we hereby do order and command that all gatherings in the
streets, quarters, squares, as well as mass meetings in the neighbourhood of the town
as well as gatherings in private houses, are only lawful when the permission of the
Governor has been obtained. And we hereby proclaim and command that all gatherings
held contrary to this Regulation in the streets, quarters, mosques, &c., will be dispersed
by military force, and in the event of any disobedience and resistance, they will be
dispersed by brute force and rifle fire. In order to spare our people these painful
incidents, we command them to avoid collecting even as spectators in the streets
mosques, &c. In case of disobedience to these Regulations
Firstly, the leaders of these gatherings, and other persons concerned in the
gatherings, will be arrested by order of the Governor and condemned to three months’
imprisonment.
Seeondly, the Commander of the Cossack Brigade, Colonel Liakhoff, has been
appointed Governor of the town. The Chief of Police, all Military Commanders, are at
his orders and under his command.
Thirdly, those gatherings in public meeting-places and other spots for personal of
commercial affairs, guild consultations gatherings in coffee-houses which are lawful, are
absolutely foibidden later than three hours after sunset.
Fourthly carrying of arms without the permission of the Governor is forbidden,
and those guilty of this offence will be punished according to the first provision of this
tiokeCfronfthe Go^rn^T P “ Wh ° P 6 ™” 1 t0 arms a
a hovJSl^° nS t- Wing u/l reSP n Ct t( ? thfi , will be punished as indicated
above, and also the soldiers will be allowed to draw their arms on them
Sixthly, the fixing of punishment for offences committed in the provinces against
the above provisions lies with the local responsible authorities °
Seventhly, the execution of these orders dates from the day of their issue.
(Signed) MOHAMMED ALI SHAH.