'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎106v] (196/236)

furnished. Without details there could bo no control over the expenditure. Did the
Minister pretend that no other Department except the War Office had any pressing
need for money ? It was perfectly obvious that the list was drawn up without
the smallest regard for the public interest. If the Persian Government expected to
obtain any kind of assistance the Minister must aid him, M. Bizot, to ascertain how
the financial position actually stands, and to draw up an accurate and detailed
statement of the urgent wants of each Department.
Kavam-ed-Dowleh appeared to be somewhat downcast at the result of the
interview, but M. Bizot assured me that his Excellency was perfectly aw T are that he
had come on a fool’s errand, and was probabl 3 r only dismayed at the prospect of having
to face Amir Behadur Jang and the Court camarilla with the confession of having
achieved nothing.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES M. MARLING.
No. 228.
Mr. Marling lo Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 31.)
Sir, Gulahek, August 13, 1908.
IN continuation of my despatch of the 15th July, I have the honour to report
that since that date the struggle between the Shah’s forces and the insurgents at
Tabreez continued intermittently up to the 9th instant, and with fluctuating fortune.
On the 15th July the inhabitants of the quarter occupied by the insurgents
unsuccessfully endeavoured to send a telegram to the Shah through the Erench Vice-
Consul stating they were ready to surrender, but feared the Government troops would
pillage their houses. The following morning the fighting, which had been incessant,
ceased, and negotiations were begun by the Elders of the surrendered quarters, who
sought to reconcile the authorities and insurgents. These, however, proved abortive,
owing to the attitude of the Chief Mujtehed, who, having control over the telegraph
wires, refused to allow the insurgent leaders to telegraph to Tehran to obtain the
Shah’s pardon, failing which, they refused to lay down their arms, though the
Commander of the Imperial forces was willing enough that the telegram should
be sent.
These events and the behaviour of the Mujtehed greatly incensed the population,
and a resolve began to manifest itself to accept no amnesty or pardon from the Shah
unless guaranteed by the foreign Consulates. On the 18th July Mr. Stevens
telegraphed that hostilities were suspended, thanks to the Russian Consul-General
having undertaken to disperse the Anjumen-i-Islamieh, the head-quarters of the
Mujtehed and the reactionary party, the town being practically in the hands of the
armed populace, and many of the Government horsemen having deserted. On the
18th July a regiment of infantry 800 strong reached Tabreez and deserted imme
diately. Meanwhile the Russian Consul-General’s intervention proved unavailing, and
a partially successful attack was made on the Government troops, wffio were driven
back to their second line of defence, but on the night of the 21st to the 22nd
July the revolutionaries were compelled to recede from their advanced positions,
reinforcements having arrived for the Shah’s party. On the morning of the 23rd
there was another lull, the revolutionaries, though hard pressed, having held their
ground. On the next day fighting recommenced, the Royalists bringing a 9-inch
mortar into action, which did considerable damage. On the 27th the situation got
worse, six guns altogether being in action, and as the shooting was somewhat
erratic the Christian quarter was thought to be in danger. On the 28th a meeting
of the Consular Corps, attended by the merchants’ delegates, was held at the
Russian Consulate-General. The merchants stated that the population would lay
down their arms on condition of receiving a complete amnesty for political offences,
guaranteed by the Legations, the dissolution of the Anjumen-i-Islamieh, and Rahim
Khan only being permitted to remain with fifty horsemen in Tabreez. The Consuls
approved these proposals, and considered the revolutionary leaders should be permitted
to leave Persia without molestation.
Hostilities were suspended during these and other efforts at reconciliation, but
again broke out on the 1st August, neither party being able to offer guarantees for the
execution of the terms of any proposed settlement. The citadel, which the revolu
tionaries continuously held, was bombarded, and shells fell in the Christian quarter.