Deeply resentful of the fact that Vossough was a British imposition, Ahmad Shah’s relationship with “his” prime minister and government was one of outright hostility. By the end of 1918, relations between Ahmad Shah and the government had practically broken down. Matters came to a head over the shah’s dismissal of Qavam-es-Saltaneh, Vossough’s brother, as governor-general of Khorasan. With the solid backing of Vossough by the British minister, Sir Percy Cox, Ahmad Shah was forced to concede and, in practice, the shah was publicly humiliated by the British and Vossough. Ahmad Shah’s dismissal of Qavam and his subsequent humiliation are discussed by Francis White
The Shah felt that his dignity would not permit him to back down after having already recalled Ghavam [Qavam] and announced his intention of appointing Prince Nosra-es-Sultaneh in his place. Also he did not wish Vossough-ed-Dowleh, whom he was coming more and more to fear, to gain the added prestige which a reversal of his decision under such circumstances would give him. He finally told Cox that he did not want to do anything which was contrary to the interests of Great Britain and that he would leave Ghavam as governor but he himself would have to leave and that then the British could make Vossough dictator.
Sir Percy told him that his government did not want Vossough or any one else to become dictator nor did they want the Shah to leave but that they must insist on having a friendly governor in Meshed. The Shah insisted that he would leave and go to Europe leaving Vossough in charge and that then the order could be recalled. Sir Percy pointed out that it would be very difficult traveling at this time and also it would be very inconvenient for him to go to Europe. The Shah said that he would go to Kum [Qom] but the British Minister objected on the ground that would be a protest against the pressure brought to bear by the British which was not what they wanted; they wanted the Shah to co-operate and work with them and not against them.
The hostility of Ahmad Shah to the Vossough government encouraged other politicians to become active against the cabinet. But with British support, the Vossough government was “unshakable”: The intrigues against the cabinet, carried on principally by Ain-ed-Dowleh, Saad-ed-Dowleh, and Samsam-es-Sultaneh, lost a great deal of intensity after the reconciliation between the Shah and Vossough-ed-Dowleh late in January. The British Legation was determined to support Vossough-ed-Dowleh and to keep him in power as long as possible and with this support the cabinet’s position was practically unshakable.
The situation is so secure that Vossough-ed Dowleh, who has not been in the best of health recently, is considering going to Europe for a much needed change. The Shah also, I am confidentially informed, is contemplating going to Europe for the same reason but the British Government, which controls all means of transport from here, has not yet decided whether it would be convenient to have him travel at this time and consequently whether or not it will give him traveling facilities.
During its first year in office, the government of Vossough-ed Dowleh set about establishing law and order, which in practice meant consolidating its power. With its secure base, and faced with disorders in Gilan, Astarabad, and Kurdistan, the Vossough government, with British help, energetically set about establishing its control through the Persian gendarmerie and the Cossacks. By the fall of 1919, the government had accomplished its goal throughout the country, including Gilan. It is very clear that the establishment of law and order, which was to be pursued much more vigorously by Reza Khan after 1921, was part of consolidation of British control of Persia.
The Appointment of Vossough-ed-Dowleh as Prime Minister
