'Persia. No 1 (1910). Further correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia.' [‎247v] (92/179)

practically resigned, and that of Saad-ed-Dowleh and Mukhber-ed-Dowleh (both noted
absolutists) in the Cabinet, We warned him that if be disregarded the advice of the
two legations, they would consider that his object was to complicate the situation and
would hold him personally responsible for the results. He protested energetically that
he had no object but the establishment of a real constitution, of which, however, he
gave no definition. As formerly in Ispahan, he pointed out that he had not come to
fight with anyone unless they fought with him. As a proof of this, he averred he had
avoided going to Kashan lest he should thus provoke an engagement with the Shah’s
troops there, more than half of whom he had won over, while the others were ready to
join him at the first signal. Urged not to put himself in opposition to the two legations,
and advised to return quietly home, he replied that he could not go back without
having accomplished anything.
He is, however, prepared to retire as soon as certain demands of his are granted.
He could only enumerate two of these :~—
1. That Amir Bahadur Jang and five or six other noted absolutists should be
banished from Tehran.
2. That assurances should be given for the security of the members of the assembly
when elected, as he is certain that they will never dare to assemble.
The remaining conditions he said he could not formulate till he had consulted the
members of a constitutional committee summoned by him to meet him on this very date
at Kum, of whom, however, only one had as yet arrived. He promises to furnish his
demand in writing by the 28th June at latest. Asked what he proposed to do if his
demands were refused, he quoted a couplet from Firdausi in the vein of u Death or
Westminster Abbey.” We pointed out that his demonstration, instead of expediting
the constitution, would retard it. He replied that bis action would have one of two
results, either a real constitution would be established or there would be direct foreign
intervention. It would be better to hasten on the denouement. In further proof of his
pacific intentions he stated that he bad counter-ordered the advance of the reinforce
ments from Ispahan. At one point in the conversation he professed himself ready to
wait with his forces, either at Kum or elsewhere, till Parliament assembled, adding that
he was sure that it never would meet under the present pseudo-constitutional regime.
He repeatedly avowed himself unwilling to place himself in opposition to the two
legations to which he would be grateful if they could obtain for him his demands.
These were not his only, but those of Tabreez, Meshed, Pesht, and other places which
he only represented. He had no personal object. This did not prevent him adducing
as one proof of the absolutism now rampant in Tehran the fact that he had heard
to-day that the Shah had conferred his ( Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad’s) lands in Bakhtiari on Amir-i-
Mufakham.
G. GBAHAME.
BOGOIAVLENSKY.
Inclosure 2 in No. 175.
Joint Communication made to Sipohdar by British and Russian Legations,
July 4, 1909.
M. BARONOWSKI and I reached Kerej at 3 p.m. on the 4th July, and were
immediately received by Sipahdar, to whom we had telephoned earlier in the day asking
for an interview.
M. Baronowski informed Sipahdar that we had been sent to him by the represen
tatives of the two Powers at Tehran with a message which was the outcome of
discussions which had taken place at London and St. Petersburgh. I added that
Messrs. Churchill and Romanowski were on their way to Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad with a similar
message. Sipahdar said that he had just heard from Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad who was at Robart
Kerim. M. Baronowski then read in Persian the translation of the instructions which
we had received. Sipahdar listened attentively, and when M. Baronowski had finished,
said he would like to read them through himself. M. Baronowski handed him the
paper, which we left with him. Having read the instructions, Sipahdar proceeded to
complain of the general unreliability of the Shah ; that His Majesty made promises
but there was great delay amounting to non-fulfilment in carrying them out; that he
kept round him certain traitors, mischief makers and mollahs, and preferred the advice
of five or six of these persons to the wishes of the rest of the people of Persia ; that no