File No. 761.91/18.
The Persian Chargé
d’Affaires to the Secretary of
State.
Imperial Persian Legation,
Washington
,
November 25,
1911
.
No. 64.]
Excellency: I have the honor to inclose for
your excellency’s consideration the translation of a cipher cable
received this afternoon from the minister of foreign affairs at Teheran.
As the inclosed cable explains, I am advised to communicate with my
Government by cable as soon as I may have the pleasure of receiving a
reply from your excellency.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the Persian Legation at
Washington.
[Telegram.]
Teheran
,
November 25,
1911
.
Through the cables Nos. 968 and 967 you have been advised of the
attitude of the Russians, of interrupting the relations, of ordering
troops, and finally of compliance with their demands; and you know
that all these (Russian) steps are directed toward (forcing) the
dismissal of Mr. Shuster. For they consider Mr. Shuster’s activities
such as the “opposition to the Belgians, the engaging of Maj.
Stokes, and the appointing of Englishmen for the north, and
especially the publication of communications and correspondence
against Russia in the English papers”—as opposed to their policy and
interest. They are therefore exerting themselves to destroy Mr.
Shuster’s work and to subject this Government to such threats and
pressure which would destroy the very independence of this country.
Some (?) days ago (?) Mr. Shustersent a long letter, either.(?)
against Russia and England, and especially against Russia, to the
(London) Times, and he afterwards published and spread that letter
in Teheran. Yesterday, when I went to the Russian legation for
apology, and I supposed that the compliance with the demand made in
reference to the Garden of Shoaes Salteneh will remove their pretext
for the sending of troops, I found that the Russian minister brought
up the subject of the letter (i. e., Mr. Shuster’s to the Times),
claiming it to be a “great insult to the Russian Government,” and
wishing to use it as a pretext against withdrawing the troops. I am
certain that the proposal which they (Russians) will make to us
would be the dismissal of Mr. Shuster, and on this matter the affair
of Persia and Russia will reach the point of extreme difficulty, in
such a manner that we might either consent to Mr. Shuster’s removal
or to the actual, immediate destruction of the country.
You must do your best to call on the minister of foreign affairs and
discuss this matter and immediately learn the view of the United
States Government. In any event immediately cable the view of the
United States foreign office as to the policy of action which the
Persian Government must adopt in this instance. Third of Zi-haja.
No. 889.
Vossough-ed Douvleh.
(
November 25,
1911.)
