Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎271v] (542/678)

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sobbing fit was followed by an attack of pain about the heart, and he looked very ill.
However, we induced him to go back to a small couch in the corner of the room where he
had been sitting, and after some time his sobs grew quieter, and the pain left him. He
then set to work again. From that time, although occasionally overcome for a moment,
he dictated orders and telegrams with remarkable promptitude and ability, never losing his
head, or seeming to be in doubt as to what he should do.
The first telegram sent by the Valiahd after the Sadr-i-Azam had reported himself
present, was an inquiry as to what persons were in the Palace. The Sadr-i-Azam replied,
giving a list of nobles and officials, and adding that the British Minister and the Russian
Charge d’Affaires were also present. The Valiahd then inquired whether the iNaib-es-
Sultaneh was there, and the Sadr-i-Azam said, <£ No, that he was attending to the troops,”
which was more charitable than true. There was a short pause, and then the Valiahd
sent back a well-worded and dignified message, in which he nominated the Sadr-i-Azam
permanent “ Prime Minister,” and called upon all the Persian nobles and officials to support
him. His Royal Highness took up at once the position of Shah, and his message created
a great impression.
Suitable answers were sent bv the Sadr-i-Azam and the crowd of nobles and officials
who were gathered outside, and finally the Russian Charge d’Affaires and I telegraphed our
condolences, to which the Valiahd replied in satisfactory terms.
During this time it had got dark, and candles with glass shades had been brought into
the room and placed in a row along the floor. It was an interesting, and in some respects,
a touching sight. The Sadr-i-Azam reclined on his couch in the corner, dictating or
listening to the telegrams, and at times breaking into a sudden lament. 'The old telegraph
clerk, who had been much with the Shah, sat clicking at his instrument, with the tears
pouring down his face. The Russian Charge d’Affaires, when the Sadr-i-Azam was not
consulting us about some point on which he wanted advice, walked restlessly about the
room, smoking innumerable cigarettes and conferring in whispers with his interpreter.
On the walls, dimly seen by the feeble light of the candles, were pictures of the Shah on
horseback, hunting leopards and antelope. There was also a picture of Alexander I of
Russia, in uniform. At the door was an attendant with a samowar and a china teapot, and
the Sadr-i-Azam’s “ kalian.” Throughout the evening the Sadr-i-Azam, who is a great
tea-drinker, was taking long draughts from the spout of the teapot, and smoking. In the
intervals of the telegraphing, military officers came with reports and inquiries, for the
Commander-in-chief having shut himself up at Amerieh, the arrangements for the protec
tion of the town devolved on the Sadr-i-Azam and his supporters.
All these arrangements were made without flurry or loss of time, and when I left the
Palace, a little before 10 o’clock, the town had been divided into sections, with strong-
infantry pickets at important points, and the so-called Cossack cavalry, which is under
Russian officers, was patrolling the streets in all directions. The infantry were mostly
Turks, and fairly trustworthy. They had all received an instalment of pay, of which they
were much in need, for the Naib-es-Sultaneh had left them months in arrears. Ammuni
tion had also been served out to them, and many had even received new uniforms.
The prompt and efficient manner in wdiich all this was done seemed to me to speak well for
those concerned. A good deal of the credit was, I think, due to the Russian Colonel of
Cossacks, a soldierly looking man of great size and pleasant manners, who made himself
very useful.
During the time that I was at the Palace a shot was fired close by, and caused some
excitement. Officers were sent out to make inquiries, but the affair proved to be of no
importance. A soldier had dropped the butt of his rifle on the ground, and it had gone
off by accident.
The last point which came up for discussion w T as the position of the Naib-es-Suitaneh.
Before sunset it had been ascertained that the bulk of the troops could be trusted to obey
the orders of the Sadr-i-Azam, and that two regiments would only remain with the Prince.
It was now decided that these regiments, being composed chiefly of Persians proper, might
safely be disregarded, and that the Prince should be left to do as he pleased. His timidity
was felt to be a safeguard for his inaction ; and the Persians could be trusted to desert
him as it became apparent that his day was over. The result has proved that the decision
was correct.
As I drove back to the Legation I found the streets were well lighted and in good
order; the artillerymen were at their guns in the main square, and the important buildings
along the route were all guarded by detachments of infantry. One could not drive 50 yards
without passing or meeting a Cossack patrol.
In the course ot the evening I received a message from the Zil-es-Sullan, the Shah’s
eldest son and Governor of Ispahan, asking me for advice, and saying that if the Shah
was dead he would rely on our protection. I answered him as I had answered the Naib-