Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎290r] (579/678)

"L.
( This Document is the Property of H er Britannic Majesty ’s Government,]
NO. 7. PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY.
ASIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
2473
[May 2.]
Section 3
• V
v
No. 1.
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received May 2.)
(No. 28.)
(Telegraphic.) P. ' Tehran, May 2, 1896.
I HAVE the honour to report that the Shah has sent messages to his brothers,
the Zil-es-Sultan and the Naib-es-Sultaneh. giving them reassuring assurances. In
return they have both protested their loyalty. I have instructed the Consul-General
at Tabriz to recognize the Yaliahd, and to offer him my congratulations. No telegram
has been received from India, and the Consul-General had to act without delay. I
gave the same advice to the Zil-es-Sultan as I had given to the Naib, and in reply he
has assured me of his resolve to keep his province in good order, and that he will
loyally recognize his brother’s succession. It would have a very good effect were the
Queen or your Lordship to send a direct personal telegram of condolence and recog
nition to the Valiahd, and I think it would be well were some reference made to his
action in keeping the Sadr-i-Azam as Prime Minister.
No. 2,
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received May 2.)
(No. 29.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Tehran, May 2, 1896.
IN order that the safety of Europeans in Shiraz, Tabriz, and other places should
not be endangered ready money is wanted to pay the troops and to meet other
expenses. The loan of 20,000/. which has been advanced by the Directors of the
Imperial Bank is not enough for the purpose. As dangerous consequences may be the
result of delay I have sanctioned the advance of further loans by the Manager of
the Bank. I hope this action will meet with your Lordship’s approval. I will be
careful that the sums expended are not unduly large, and it would not be right to
allow disturbances to take place which could be prevented by the expenditure of a
moderate sum.
No, 3.
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received May 2.)
(Xo. 80.)
(Telegraphic.) P. Tehran, May 2, 1896.
THEBE are reports of disturbances in Shiraz and other places, but everything is
quiet in Tehran to-night. The Consul-General at Tabriz reports that the Valiahd was
enthroned and proclaimed to-day at noon by the officers commanding the garrison.
The Consular Corps were present, and Mr. Wood offered the Shah cordial congratula
tions on my behalf. The Sadr-i-Azam is doing very well. I found him confident and
quiet when I discussed the situation with him to-day. It is unfortunate that the
Shah delays his departure. I have explained to Lord Elgin that, in order k> prevent
disturbances, I had to act at once, and could not wait for an expression of his views.
f 1237 c—3]