'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎22v] (49/610)

32
pied Astarabad and again entered Mazandaran. On February
6th the British and Russians Legations suggested to the Persian
Government that as Muhammad All’s cause was hopeless and he
would never gain their support, he should be warned to quit
Persia on condition of an amnesty and continuance 1 * * of his
pension. He was still counting on Russian assistance and
demanded orders from the Czar, but finally consented to quit
Persia and retired via Ashuradeh to Baku on 12th March 1912.
The Russians still further increased their unpopularity by
intervening in civil disturbances in Meshed, connected with
Muhammad All’s rebellion, and bombarding the masjid of Imam
Riza, the most sacred shrine in Persia, on 30th March.
Meanwhile the Salar-ud-Dauleh was still a rebel and claimed
the Government of Western Persia. Kirmanshah repeatedly
changed hands between the Salar and the Government troops.
On 19th May Yeprim took command and routed a rebel force
in Kurdistan, but was himself killed in the engagement. Yeprim
was the only strong personality inspiring confidence, who had '
come into prominence during the revolution, and his death
was a great loss to Persia.
Salar-ud-Dauleh prolonged his activities in the territory of
Kirmanshah and Kurdistan until, in October 1912, he suddenly
was reported to have reached the Sauj Bulagh district about
30 miles from Tehran. He did not, however, make any attempt
on the capital. Bakhtiaris went in pursuit, and he was next
heard of near Astarabad. His following had melted away and
he gained the protection of the Russian Consul and started
negotiations with the Tehran Government, through the Russian
Legation, to appoint him Governor General of Gilan. Without
awaiting their decision he vanished from Astarabad, reappeared
at Sabzavar on the Tehran-Meshed road with a small force,
returned to Astarabad and took ship for Rasht. His followers
took the land route along the Caspian coast, fired on some
of Sipahdar’s (i.e., Vali Khan afterwards Sipah Salar) men in
Tunakabun, and came off worse in the encounter. Salar from
Gilan made his way back via Talish to Garrus and Kurdistan,
where he surrendered to some Cossacks in pursuit of him, was
released on parole and absconded, but on failing to raise a force
from among the Turko-Persian frontier tribes took 4 bast (Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location. ’ in
the Russian Consulate at Kirmanshah, whence he again
utilized the good offices of the Russians. He went to Switzer-
1 Despite the fact that his rebellion, which could never have occurred had
Kussia fulfilled her moral obligation to Persia and prevented him from leaving
ms asylum, had involved the Persian Government in the difficulties and expense
of civil war.