568 Chapter 5
365 RUSSIA/630 IRANMID#166
Dispute Number: 166
Date(s): April 16, 1908 to June 17, 1908
Participants: 365 Russia/630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Russia sent a military expedition into Persia to deal with bandits. Russia
demanded an indemnity from Persia. When Persia paid, Russia withdrew its troops.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Unclear.
MID#3133
Dispute Number: 3133
Date(s): July 17, 1909 to September 9, 1909
Participants: 365 Russia/630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: British and Russian diplomatic authorities dispatched a force of Cossacks
and Sepoys to guard the recently deposed Shah, who had taken refuge with the Rus-
sian legation. The Shah fled to Odessa on September 9, 1909.
Coding changes: End Date changed from January 17, 1910.
MID#165
Dispute Number: 165
Date(s): November 2, 1911 to September 29, 1912
Participants: 365 Russia/630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Imposed)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: William Morgan Shuster, an American customs collector, was invited to
Persia in order to arrange Persia’s finances. The country had just undergone a con-
stitutional revolution and desired to form a state comparable to the states of Europe.
Russia did not approve of this move and, with Great Britain on board after the 1907
alliance, sought to undermine Persia.
Ultimatums were given, staring with a November 2, 1911, verbal demand to dis-
mantle the treasury gendarmerie. The strongest ultimatum came on November 29,
calling for the removal of Shuster from his position. Shuster was eventually coerced
to leave on January 11, 1912, but troubles between Russia and Iran were not over.
The presence of Shuster was one of several issues dividing the two states; Russia
also wanted Persian territory and began occupying its northern provinces. After effect-
ing the retreat of Shuster, the Russians pressed more demands on January 29, 1912.
It wanted full settlement of claims regarding the Russian Discount and Loan Bank,
the preservation of the Qajar dynasty and, importantly, the concession of the northern