ملف ١٩١٦/٣٣٦٠ الجزء ١ "مراسلات بلاد فارس (١٩١٦-١٩١٧)" [و‎‎١‎١‎٩] (٨٠٤/٢٤٢)

will remain for local garrison and convoy relief duty.
133
Telegram P., No. 164-F., dated (and received) the 8th May 1917,
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla. r
My telegram No. 160.
Establishment of a Republic in Persia is being talked about a good deal.
The Shah is genuinely impressed with it and hopes to find salvation in giving
way to every demand made by so-called democrats. At their instigation he has
now informed Prime Minister that his Cabinet must either be reconstructed by
the inclusion of Motesham-es-Sultaneh, Musteshar-ed-Dowleh and another pro-
German in place of Sirdar Mansur, Eiruz Mirza and Kawam-ed-Dowleh or
that he must resign.
The reply of the Prime Minister was that he could not agree to such a
change which would be strongly resented by two Legations, and that he declined
to tender his resignation.
I told him 1 quite agreed with his reply. It would be impossible for
him to carry on his former policy with these new colleagues : with the
Shah ? s support they would force him to make objectionable demands on us;
if we refused them point blank, he would be accused of insincerity in
presenting them, and we should be forced in to making concessions in order
to keep him in office. His position would be in any case most humiliating.
I was convinced however that the Shah attached some importance to His
Highness’ retention and that it was foreign to His Majesty’s character to take
ascertained that I could only regard such a change as indicating a departure
from Persia’s declared policy of benevolent neutrality and as calculated to
produce worst impression on His Majesty’s Government who might have to
reconsider their attitude towards this country.
Though the Prime Minister agreed, he is evidently convinced that hostile
influences surrounding Shah will shortly bring about fail of Cabinet.
Eussian Charge d’Affaires entirely concurs in proposed course and used
somewhat similar arguments in discussing situation with Prime Minister.
Addressed London Eoreign Office; repeated Petrograd.
^Received with Army Department memorandum No. 6637, dated the 7th May 1917.)
Telegram P., No. M. D.-17, dated the 2nd (received 3rd) May 1917.
From— Colonel Redl, Meshed,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
an)
so decisive a step as to dismiss a Cabinet. So I thought best think for him
to do was to refuse to carry out Shah’s wishes on the ground that he had
134
of the presence in these regions
with a paper bearing Neidermayer i
by us and further information may