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Sykes' History of Persia Vol 2 (pdf) - Heritage Institute

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5 io HISTORY OF PERSIA<br />

short, without bloodshed or civil war, the <strong>Persia</strong>ns had<br />

gained on paper everything demanded by their leaders.<br />

This rescript was read out to the assembled crowd in the<br />

Legation and was hailed with enthusiasm. The Legation<br />

garden was then vacated, and a few days later the return<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Kum exiles was made the occasion <strong>of</strong> a great<br />

national demonstration.<br />

The Regulations for the Assembly. But the reactionary<br />

party had not lost all hope. The Ayn-u-Dola suddenly<br />

reappeared, and the Shah was persuaded not to sign the<br />

Regulations for the Assembly.<br />

It seemed probable that<br />

disturbances would again break out ; but, as the result <strong>of</strong><br />

advice tendered by the British and Russian representatives,<br />

the Ayn-u-Dola was ordered to proceed to his estate in<br />

Khorasan and the document was signed and published.<br />

It contained the following regulations<br />

:<br />

(a) The division<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Persia</strong> into eleven (or thirteen) electoral areas ; (^)<br />

the Assembly to consist <strong>of</strong> 200 members and<br />

; (V) the<br />

eligibility <strong>of</strong> all males between thirty and seventy, provided<br />

that they were literate, were not in Government<br />

service, and had not been convicted <strong>of</strong> any crime.<br />

The Opening <strong>of</strong> the National Assembly , October, 1906.<br />

So eager was public opinion for the Assembly to begin its<br />

functions that as soon as the sixty-four<br />

members for<br />

Teheran were elected there was a formal opening by the<br />

Shah, in the presence <strong>of</strong> the triumphant divines and <strong>of</strong><br />

the European representatives. His Majesty, who was<br />

very ill, just managed<br />

to reach his seat unaided, but was<br />

unable to hold the pipe which it is<br />

customary to smoke<br />

on such occasions. In accordance with <strong>Persia</strong>n custom,<br />

the royal rescript ordering the Parliament to begin<br />

its<br />

labours was handed by the Shah to the Chief Herald, who<br />

read it to the assembled members. This completed the<br />

memorable ceremony.<br />

The Signing <strong>of</strong> the Constitution. The first task <strong>of</strong> the<br />

National Assembly was the nomination <strong>of</strong> a committee<br />

charged with the duty <strong>of</strong> drawing up the terms <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Constitution. When the result <strong>of</strong> their labours was<br />

submitted to the Assembly and it was found that there<br />

was to be a Second House in which the Government

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