'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎117v] (239/610)

were lacking in discipline and self restraint and showed a ten
dency to arrogate to themselves Executive as well as Legis
lative power, which led to constant interpellation of the Cabinet
Ministers resulting in friction and the resignation of the Cabinet.
The first Majlis was the rallying point of the “ Constitutional
ists” (or “Nationalists”) against the despotic and perfidious
Muhammad Ali Shah. The second was divided into 3 parties,
“Moderates ’ (Itidall), “Extremists” or “Democrats,” and
“Neutrals” (Bitaraf). The “Moderates” were the most
numerous and the “ Neutrals ” usually inclined to their side.
The election of Nasr-ul-Mulk as Regent by 80 votes from these
two parties against 40 votes of the “Democrats ” who were in
opposition, is an indication of their voting strength. The
“ Moderates ” advocated a policy of respect towards Russia
and were lead by wealthy land-owning nobles like Sipah Salar
and Farman Farma, who, although not a member of the Majlis,
was a party leader. The leader of the “Democrats” was
Taqizadeh until his excommunication by the Mujtahids of
Kerbela and retirement to Europe, when he was succeeded by
Sulaiman Mirza. The numerical preponderance of the
“Moderates” was to some extent counterbalanced by the
greater activity and noisy methods of the “ Democrats”.
By its appointment and support of Mr. Shuster and his
American staff with wide powers for financial control and
organization and by the institution of the Swedish gendar
merie, the record of this second Majlis must be reckoned as the
most progressive in recent Persian history.
The third Majlis on its assembly was divided into the same
parties, but, as a result of the enfranchisement of the ignorant
peasantry by the system of universal suffrage, the percentage
of clergy had risen from less than 15 per cen : to 40 per cent of
the deputies. The “ Neutrals ” were reduced to less than
25 per cent. Within a month, however, this Majlis entered
on the troublo i as period of the war, the former party distinc
tions were effaced and the question at issue was whether to
throw in their lot with the allies or with the Turks and
Germans. The resentment entertained by Persians against
Russia, and against Great Britain as her close ally, was fanned
by German intrigue and the “ Democrats ” became anti-ally
“ Nationalists ” with the cry of “ Persia for the Persians.”
The whole Majlis, with the exception of a few individuals,
joined them and when menaced by the advance of Russian
troops from Kazvin broke up, and the majority of its
members evacuated Tehran with the Turks and Germans and
their sympathizers, and left for Qum on 15tb November 1915.