Page 106 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

81
Part L
185. In Juno 1903 reports wore received of disturbances in various places,
Secret Frontier, November 1003, No*. 08*137. especially at Tabriz, against the Belgian
Secret Frontier, J«nu*ry 1901, No*. 380*421. Customs, and against the Babis at Ispahan,
Yozd, etc., which could be traced to tho
clerical movemont organized in Turkish Arabia under the leadership of Agha
Pazil Sharabiaui and supported by the clerical party in Persia.
18G. The attitude to ho adopted by tho British Government in theso
circumstances was a matter of great delicacy. Their influence at Kcrbcllaand
Najaf, especially through tho distribution of the Oudh Bequest, was undoubted.
While anxious that no agitation on the part of tho Shiah clergy at Kcrbclla
and Najaf should he allowed to the extent of creating anarchy and confusion
in Persia or weakening or dismembering Persia, tho British Government would,
it was llnugbr, be well advised to establish such favourable relations with tho
Ulema as would act as a counterpoise against Russian intrigues at the Court of
Tehran. Tho polioy theroforo adopted was to strengthen our influence with the
Government, of Persia by exerting it in a manner which would be favourable at
Kcrbella, but at the same time to enter into such friendly personal relatious
with tho chief priests as would cuablc us, if necessary, to use them as a lever,
in the event of tho Persians following an unfriendly policy, or showing signs of
contracting fresh loaus from Russia. The following message approved by
Lord Lansdowuo was ordered by Sir A. Hurdiuge to be communicated to Agha
Shurabiani: —
"The British Government is
... firm supporter of the independence of Persia; their
,
political interests arc identical with those of that kingdom ; their administration of the Oudh
Ueouest is, to take a small matter, one of many proofs of their respect for tho Mohomedan
religion, which is that of millions of their subjects, and they will never favour measures
which could, injure or wpaken Poisia. But they strongly deprecate all appeals to religious
hatreds as likely to do Persia moro barm than good. Whatever may be 6aid against Persian
tariff, it has been agreed to, not only by the Russians, but also by England and Turkey,
and can only be changed by negotiation with those three Powers, which at present would
entail great difficulties. If the Hazarat have any complaints agaiust the Persian administra­
tion, let them address them to the Shah or Grand Vizir in a respectful manner, and
in the meantime di6courago all languages by the olergy here, which might be misunderstood
by the ignorant a6 inciting to riots or violence.''
-A- Sardinge desired that in communicating this message.it
“ be advisable by a friendly and sympathetics attitude, to encourage ex­
planations of the views and real objects of the chief priests, which there was
reason to suspect were mainly directed against Russian preponderance in
Persia, and have a letter sent by them to Sir A. Hardingo if possible (Sir A.
Hardmgos telegram to the Government of India, dated 18th June 1903, and
i Major New march's letter, dated 13th July 1903, to Mirza Mohomed Hussain
Moksm, Kerbella).
188. The message was delivered verbally to Agha Sharabiani by tho Firs
Dragoman of the Consulate at Baghdad, Mirza Mahomed Mohsin, and was on
the whole well received. He said that he had issued notices to all the Muj a-
bids in Persia to keep quiet and suppress disturbances. He "’as willing o
- correspond with Sir A. Hardinge,but, as ^concession to his dignity and impor
tance, wished the British Minister to write to him the first letter, ]I o seeme
to have confidence in the British and recognized that they were frien s
Persia, but he was reluctant to ask help from unbelievers.

were courteous VOr^a messaSes, the replies to which were as friendly as they

190. At this time on account of tho long existing abuses on the distribution
! of the Oudh Bequest, Major Newmarch wras discussing with Government a now
system of distribution (see Chapter XVI). He was anxious to include among
the Mujtahids, among whom the bequest was to be distributed, Agha Shara­
biaui. But tho latter wished to have the whole annual payment to be made