British Foreign Relation

British Foreign Relation

In the afternoon of 19 July 1906 more than 50 community leaders comprising of clergies and businessmen took sanctuary in the British Embassy in Tehran spending the night inside the premise. The numbers escalated everyday. In the morning of 2 Sept, people taking sanctuaries summed up as many as 14,000. They had extremely organized behaviour by keeping order in their day-to-day affairs. The reason for that was because of community leaders did not allow corrupt and dubious individuals infiltrate into the crowd. Thousands tents were set up in the Embassy allowing timely and orderly supply of basic needs which were funded by campaigners. Colonel Douglass the British Military Attaché was taking precautionary measures to safeguard the premises, although there was no need for that while everyone were extremely watchful of their behaviour.

Ultimately the campaign proved to be successful when it obliged the State to respond to nation’s demands issuing concession order. The British Charge d’Affaire in Tehran was kindly requested to read the letter sent by the Government for the crowd. However, since people did not have faith in any of decrees issued by the State, therefore a selected team was assigned to meet the Shah in person to resume negotiation. In the meantime, those who took sanctuary declared manifest of clarification that unless all their demands are met they will continue their lodge in the British Embassy.

At the same time, one of top military figure informed the Government that his soldiers do not take firm stand against people who take sanctuary in the Embassy. It is likely that Army join the crowd as well, he added. This was a dangerous alert to both the Prime Minister and the Court Minister. Soon after the PM resigned, Azadollmolk the Chief of ruling tribe Qajar left Tehran for Qom holy city to inform top clergies that Shah has accepted all demands set forth by the nation for ratification of constitution, the establishment of the National Assembly and Judiciary system.

Nonetheless, since the whole nation were highly suspicious of the State, the community leaders involved in the campaign claimed that pledges are nothing more than empty words; they are acceptable only if British Government expresses its support and guarantees the process in full. The request rendered significant amount of pressure on the British diplomat who had guidelines not to involve his country into the matter. Therefore, addressing the crowd he stated that the British Government can never interfere in Iran’s internal affairs, however, I personally assure you the reliability of pledges made by the Shah.

18 August 1907 saw a historical High Council taking momentum in one of the buildings of Royal palaces. This was the preliminary Council that paved the way for the establishment of the parliamentary system in Iran.

Source: (translation from)
Blue Book, Confidential Correspondences of British Foreign Ministry on Iran Constitutional Revolution (1906-1908), first Vol., Initiated by Ahmad Bashiri, Nashr-e-now, Tehran, 1984