The papers of Monday announced that the Shah had abolished
the Constitution in a Rescript, which was sum- marised by the Persian correspondent of the Times as follows : "Considering that you denounced the Constitution as against the Islamic laws, we, always desirous of the welfare of our subjects, entirely abolish the Constitution, and will henceforward rule in strict accordance with Koranic prin- ciples and dispense universal justice." This, of course, was an affront to Great Britain and Russia, who had made special representations in favour of the maintenance of the Con- stitution. The British and Russian Ministers protested vigorously, and it was their action which caused the withdrawal of the Rescript on Monday night. The Shah decreed that it should not only be withdrawn, but that all copies should be destroyed.
