Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-06
PerSia,S Future.

From Edward Stacks 'sSix Months in Persia"
What then is the probable future of Persia?
If the soil is not exhausted nor the people show
any signs of decaying race, is Persia likely to
develop any steady Improvement by herself, or
must she seek help from Russia? Perhaps it
was not bad thing that the concession to
Baron Reuter- fell through. One example, such
as Egypt, is sufficient Of the exploit alton of an
oriental country by European spectators. Per-
STA is fortunate in her remoteness from Europe
Her neighbor, Turkey, may serve to warn her
Of the consequences of borrowing European
money. AS military power Persia is much
weaker than Turkey but financially and politi-
cay she is in a position incomparably better
Persia has no public debt, and she is not engaged
In perpetual struggle with the western powers,
nor exposed to remOnstrance or rebuke or dicta-
ton in respect to matters Of domestic admins
tratiOn. There Is, indeed, no room for interfer-
ence. There are no Greek Christians In I'M
willing subsection, and the army and community
are contented with security of life and property
Moreover. the country is at one with itself, free
from internal intrigue and disquicting rumors,
no less than from actual revolt. The one thing
wanted is a better system of government It
seems to be admitted that the shah himself is
the ablest man In the country. and that his in
tentions are good, but he can only see with
the eyes and hear with the ears of his officials
integrity the better So long as governorships
are obtained by bribery and regarded as OppOr-
tunities OF making perquisites there can be no
hope of effectual Improvement from within.
No Persian placeman, whether governor of q
province or naib of some petty district has any
assurance that bribery or intrigue at head
quarters will not GUST him tor morrow; SO he
makes what he can while he has time on the
familiar eastern principle of converting power
into money. The men who have done most for
WI haf1 In
membranes to this day and whose works stand
as memorials OF them and earn them the bless
ings OF hundreds of travellers (including here
and there stray EurOpean) have been men of
local estate and influence. For the
rest, as to isolated acts of misgovernment,
such as taking away the subjects wife
or approprating the produce of his
orchard or date grove, / doubt if thew
are SO numerous as to constitute in themselves
grieyOus check upon the happiness of the peo-
pie in general. In fact, the state Of Persia
might be sensibly improved if the one fault of
niggardliness at headquarters could be over
come. The shah has good intentions, but he
grudges to spend his savings. Hence the neglect
to pay the levies sent against the Kurds and the
consequent sacking of Persian villages by the
hungry troops. But even as it is. in spite of
niggardliness, misgOvernment and famine. the
progress made by Persia within the last ten
years Is unmistakable. It Is not
certain, hOweves, that Persia will always be left
free to develop herself after her own fashion.
The shadow of Russia hangs over her northern
provinces, while in central and even southern
Persia the name OF Russia commands general re-
SpeCt and awe.