'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎264r] (532/610)

in accordance with this undertaking ; the cancellation of all
concessions granted by Persia to Russian citizens on the ground
that they had been * 1 extorted by force ; abolition of the clause
of the Treaty of TurkomanchaT allowing no ships of war on the
Caspian except those flying the Russian flag (see pages 3 and
409) and recognition of the right of free navigation under the
Persian flag ; Russia to retain possession of the Russian Lega
tion and consulate buildings in Persia ; the appointment of a
Russian Minister to Tehran and a Persian Minister to Moscow,
and the establishment of consulates “ at points which shall be
settled by mutual consentP
The Soviet Government had achieved a diplomatic success.
The specious generosity of these terms was calculated to appeal
to the vanity and greed of the Persians, who in return for sub
stantial material benefits were only required to receive a Rus
sian Minister and consuls into their country, anc t u' > ova;
appeared in a liberal role which by comparison made the British
seem reactionary. The apparent discrepancy between >. ovie
professions and their descent on Enzali and mi i ary eecu
pation of Gilan was explained away by the assertion that these
were provoked by the presence of the British and were in no
May directed against Persia, and that they won c e imme
diately discontinued if the British troops were withdrawn.
The obvious drawback was uncertainty about Russia-’s
good faith and real intentions and the Persian inability o o er
any resistance should these terms prove to be mere y ie nn
end of the wedge to resume Russian penetration into Persia.
While the Sipahdar’s Cabinet was feebly inactive, and re
signing and reforming, the British Government had announced
its decision to withdraw the troops from North iisia d 1 e
following spring. In apprehension of the consequence so s
withdrawal the European colonies prepared to evacuate tneir
women and children ; the Imperial Bank sent away its silver
coin to Bushire and British concerns generally were being
wound up. ;
In February the situation underwent a sudden and dia
matie change. On February 21st before daybrea' e ran
was entered and occupied by a force of 2500 to 3000 ossac s
1 Cf. the decree of Samsam-us-Sultanch’s Cabinet m ‘ i,? ec + s
treaties concluded with Russia and all concessions granted to Rus j .
during the last 100 years on the ground that they had been broug > y
force and fraud (see page 45). „
1 They had 8 field guns and 18 machine guns. _ ?so resistance
except from a police post, which suffered 8 casualties, the &end< ri
Central Brigade joined the Cossacks.