'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎124v] (232/236)

the Grand Vizier to meet the wishes expressed in the petitions against the Constitution,
it was just possible that the Shah might reconsider his position. At the same time the
abrogation of the Constitution, if persisted in, would in all probability lead to grave
consequences ; and in any case, in view of the advice which had been so often given to
the Shah by the British and Kussian Governments, such an act on the part of His
Majesty should be viewed very seriously by both Governments. It seemed to me that the
Shah should be in some way given to understand that he could not lightly disregard the
counsels which had been proffered.
M. Isvolsky fully recognized the gravity of the situation, but he said he could
hardly be expected to form a definite opinion until he had received some report from
M. de Hartwig, for which he had telegraphed, as to what actually had occurred. He
said he would like to know what steps I could suggest to mark the disapproval of the
two Governments. I told him that it was a little difficult to indicate the measures which
might be most appropriate. Mere protests would probably have but little effect,
but perhaps if the Bussian Government were to withdraw their officers for a limited
time the Shah might comprehend that he could expect no assistance of any kind from
Russia.
M. Isvolsky, who did not reject the suggestion absolutely, said that there were
grave objections to such a step. It might be better to await further and fuller
information as to what had actually occurred ; and the public telegrams treated the
question as if the presentation of the petition was merely preparatory to some action
on the part of the Shah, and had not stated that he had actually given his consent to
the Constitution being abandoned.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. NICOLSON.
No. 318.
Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received November 23.)
Sir, St. Petersburg//, November 12, 1908.
M. ISVOLSKY read to me to-day portions of a long telegram which had arrived
from Tehran, but which he told me had not been sent by the Legation, giving a very
gloomy picture of the situation in the Persian capital.
I told him that it was necessary, in order to calm the populace, that the Medjliss
should assemble, and perhaps some means could then be found to improve the
situation. The main point was that the elections should be held, and the Assembly
convened, and I trusted that, as a result of the audiences which I understand the
British and Russian Ministers were to have of the Shah to-day, we should see that the
efforts of the reactionaries were defeated.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. NICOLSON.
No. 319.
Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received November 23.)
St. Petersburg//, November 14, 1908.
M. ISVOLSKY spoke to me last night in respect to the situation in Persia, which
continues to fill him with uneasiness. lie said that he had made up his mind on two
points, which were non-intervention and no support to the Shah. This might be termed
the negative side of a policy, but he was perplexed as to a positive policy. He saw
quite clearly what he would not do, but he was puzzled as to what he would do. He
did not view with satisfaction the possibility of the country drifting again into anarchy,
which might give rise to events which might compel both Governments to intervene.
He had thought of drawing up a project of reforms which, after consultation with His
Majesty’s Government, could be urged upon the Shah ; but it seemed to him of little
use to draw up projects when there were no men and no parties in Persia competent
to put them into execution. M. de liar twig was on his way, or would be very shortly
on his way, to St. Petersburg!!, and on his arrival he thought of instituting a small
Departmental Committee who might be able to draw up some scheme which would
offer some remedy to the situation.