The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-17
RrsstA IN PERSIA.


The St. Petersburg correspondence or
the London Daily Mail says the con-
struction of the Trans-Persian Railway
(by the Russian government has been
definitely decided upon. The line VIII De
] 800 miles long and will cost loJ'0ooVUo
rubles. This is taken as confirmation OF
a report recently printed to the effect
that Russia had made loan of 100000
rubles to Persia, and had secured her
self by mortgage on the customs ana
a concession to lay railways in the coun-
try.
These announcements, coming just at
this time, when Great Britain is so hard
pressed in South Africa, are of great in
terest to students of European ana
Asiatic affairs. In an interesting paper
in the New York Tribune of recent date
Mr. S. G. w. Benjamin, formerly Ameri-
can minister to Teheran (Persia) gives
an insight into the meaning of the move
ment of Russia into Persia. He con-
cludes that the Great Bear having once
put his foot into Persian territory will
never remove it except TO take step
further forward. Russia never goes back
ward
Persia is at present a buffer state be-
tween Russian and British territory, the
latter being India. 1t also separates
Russian territory from the Persian Gulf
and the Gulf of Oman, which are open
doors to the Arabian sea and Indian
ocean On the Persian coast are good
ports almost within hailing distance or
Indian territory. These ports Russia de-
sires to reach with her railroad systems,
for the double purpose of controlling
trade and providing the means by when
she can handle soldiers expeditiously In
co-operation with her naval forces. For
a great many years Russia has had her
eve upon Persia, and from time to time
she has 'nibbled off pieces of territory"
from the Shahs dominion as the oppor-
tunity to do so presented itself. A more
ambitious grab has been prevented here
tofore by the diplomacy of Great Britain,
which country, foreseeing the object of
Russias desires-toe project her dominion
from the Caspian southwark to the Ara
bian sea-has managed to keep the way
full of obstacles. But now, seeing Great
Britain busily engaged in the southern
part of the African continent, Russia has
| made her coup, in defiance of British sem
timent.
It is believed the arrangements for the
coup have been standing for a number
| of years, or really from a time previous
| to the enforcement of the present Shah.
He had a powerful rival for the throne,
| and the supposition is that a bargain
was driven with Russia by which Muza-
| far was to become Shah and be upheld,
| in case of need. by Russia. In return
| Russia was to have practical suzerainty
| over the country, and enjoy railway and
other concessions. Strength is given to
| this view by the exceeding smallness of
| the loan referred to above-11, 100000 ru-
| bles, or in American money about $780,
| 900. When it is understood that Persia
contains approximately 100000 square
miles of territory and over 100000 of
population, it appears that the loan would
be entirely too small to warrant the CIV
ing of such large security as the Gus
toms and railway monopoly.
What the political outcome of this
grabbing of Persia by Russia will be re-
| mains to be seen. The Cars hold upon
Asia will be very greatly strengthened
and the newly acquired territory may be
| used as the base from which to make
incursons upon other Independent Asiatic
| states. Meantime ex-Minister Benjamin
believes that from commercial and indus
trial points of view the people of Persia
will be greatly benefited. The fruitful
lands of the country will be brought I'M
der cultivation, and the mineral and
other resources will be developed. Our
own country, or rather some of the man.
ufacturers of America, will be likely to
share in the benefits of increased indus
trial activity in Persia. American loco
motives and other machinery, as well as
steel rails of our make, are popular with
the Russians, and many orders for such
materials are likely to be received in the
United States. American engineers, too,
are well liked by the Car, and it is
probable that a number of them will be
engaged in the construction of the con-
templated Trans-Persan Railway sys-
TEN.
| -s-o~e------