Page 245 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND THE MA8KAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1007-1008?. 61
Pazl Ullali. Mujtnhid Knmnl-ud-Din of Kcrmanshah called a meeting of the
pcoploand read to them the two above telegrams and also a telegram from the
ohief Mujtahids of Kcrbela which stated that the Majlis was fully in accordance
with the Shara and tliat any one in opposition to it was an unbeliever.
This decree had the value of a Papal Encyclical. The Imam-i-Jumn rose
and made a speech pointing out that it was at Kcrbela alono that a decision
on such a subject could be given and that whatever the spiritual heads of the
religion at that place should order must be obeyed. A telegram was accordingly
sent to tho ivlajlis offering them the full support of tho town and to Sheikh
Eazl Ullali disassociating thcmsolves from his movement.
The Legation now telegraphed tome that the Shah had given his promise to
tho English and Russian representatives that ho would faithfully observe tho
Constitution. I was to bo permitted to use this nows to calm the people if
I considered it necessary. As the people’s party seemed predominant and there
appeared no fear of a collision I did not use tho information.
On the 2nd January Agha Mahomed Mohdi, tho religious chief of the
people’s party, who had taken refuge in the Consulate in the summer and who
had fled to Kcrbela in tho autumn, returned to Kcrmanshab fully accredited
by the Mujtahids of Kcrbela. He had a great reception and a dozen “ yedaq ”
horses (riderless aud highly decorated and saddled horses usually sent out as
a sign of honour) were sent out to meet him, amongst them being one from tho
Governor and one from the Knrguzar. The people went out in thousands
and kissed Mehdi’s hands and feet and even the feet of his horse. Mclidi now
pretends to great absorption from the world and abstention from temporal
atfairs. Ho is, however, the religious chief of tho local assombly.
On the 11th January Zahir-el-Mulk, who had been appointed Commander-
in-Chief of the forces on the frontier, left for Kasr-i-Shirin and Azam-ed-Douleh,
his son, took over the post of Deputy-Governor.
He immediately began to act with great harshness and continued bis
father’s policy of force : unfortunately be appeared to be indifferent whother he
punished the innocent or the guilty and subsequently suffered for bis mis-
government and has been deprived of all his titles and honours. During the
time he was Deputy-Governor, i.e., to the end of the year, be made a good deal
of money, especially out of the charwardars. An order came from Tehran for­
bidding Persian charwardars crossing the frontier. Azam-ed-Douloh worked
this order for bis own benefit by forbidding the transport of any merchandise
to the frontier at all unless he were first bribed.
No further open conflict took place as the people’s party were too strong
and, in addition, frontier matters took up the time of the official classes.

At the same time, strong as is the people’s party, it seems impossible that
the large numbers who will iose their means of existence under a constitutional
Government, including all tho official classes and their bangers on, will consent
to their losses without a fight. The actual strength -would appear to be on
their side fo<- none of the tribes have any sympathy with constitutional means.
Thus -when vested interests are seriously attack« d, should the movement at
Tehran show any signs of strength, they will fiud a very strong and numerous
backing in the Kormanshah district. No mo-voment is however likely to
originate in Kerraanshah though it would he a bold man who would prophesy
about anything in this country.
At the beginning of October I received information that the Turkish
troops were being increased all along the froutier.

At Kcrmanshab it is most difficult to get reliable information and I was-
several times misled after having confirmed most carefully the news that I
had recoived. I accordingly asked for permission to proceed * to Kasr-i-Shirin,
whore I spent two months of the winter from the middle of January to the*
middle of March. Baneh was tho only placo in my district occupied by the