The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-16
NEW ROOkS.
The Persian Problem.

mean Power OF naVa' sta'ioh y" VIC o' ni0"
Gulf as an unfriendly act, we cannot but
regard as peculiarly timely the book Just
pnbshed by the Scribners under the title
of "Ihe Persian Problem by II. j. WING
ham This, as the title suggests. Is an ex-
animation OF the rival positions OF Great
Britain and Russia in Persia. TO which II
added some account OF the Persian Gulf and
e I've 3agdad Railway. There II some ,
reason to believe that the articles here re-
printed the substance OF which originally
appeared In the London Morning Posi, have
aided to enlighten and determine the minds
Of British Ministers with regard to the cues
lions discussed, and may have contributed
10 the formulation OF England's policy with
reference to the Middle East which has now
been proclaimed by the Secretary for For
eien Affairs. The conclusions here set forth
are based on first hand observations. made
in the course OF journey undertaken at the
suggestion OF Lord Curson, who In his own
book 1t may be remembered. had good
deal to say about the political and strategic
relation OF Persia to the Anglo-1ndian
Empire
Mr. Whgham says that he went to Persia
with no preconceptions as 1egards the
Persian question, beyond the general notion,
acquired through some personal experiences
Of Russian policy in China, that his country
men would be very foolish to repeat In the
Middle East the Inconsistencies which have
characterized their attitude toward the
Russian occupation Of Manchuria. The pur-
pose OF his visit to Persia wps to find out
whether 1t was possible to avoid similar
fluctuations Of attitude with regard TO Nus.
sia' g descent upon the territory OF the ohah'
He recognized that, in order TO arrive at any
sound deductions, 1t was needful to learn IN
the first place what British interests In Per-
sia now amount to and what they are capa-
BILE Of becoming; secondly. how far Russia
was encroaching upon England's sphere OF
influence, and, thirdly, whether 1t was pcs
sible to stay the encroachment Before
beginning the investi CATION. he took Tor
grant ed that, If the encroachment could not
be stayed, or. in other words, II Russia must
have Persia, and with it a naval base on the
Persian Gulf or Indian Ocean. then the
sooner the point should be conceded by
Great Britain the better 1t would be Tor all
parties concerned. The results OF his In
quiriee however. have led him to the con-
cl,sion that Great Britain cannot possibly
make such concession without great lces
TO her prestige and to her. commercial pros
pArity in the Middle East His inveetiga.
lions also convinced him that the arrest OF
Russian encroachment would be attended
with no great difficulty, for the reason that
the expansion OF Russian influence. even in
northern Persia. proved, upon careful ex-
animation. to be far from the natural
and almost inevitable process which most
writer's assume it to be. Here Mr.. Whig-
ham finds himself at variance with Capt,
MahAn. who. although strenuous OPP
ponent OF Russian designs upon the Persian
Gulf, has pronounced It quite reasonable
that northern Persia should in time fall en-
trely under the domination OF Russia. ow-
ing to the proximity of the two countries.
Capt Mahan has also expressed the opinion
that England's influence cannot be expected
to extend very far beyond the shores Of the
Persian Gulf. The author Of the book be-
fore us, after a ecrutiny Of the facts OF the
case on the spot, reports that for CONNER
ciaI and political purposes distance Is not
o,,.stion Of geography or mileage. He
points out that at the present moment
Teheran is only very little nearer to the
commercial centres Of Russia. 80 far az cost
and facility of transport go. than il is to
Manchester, and that. whenever railways
are built in Persia and are kept open on
equal terms to all nations of the world. the
markets OF northern Persia will actually
be more accessible 10 British merchandise
than TO Russia. Why? Because It must
always be cheaper 10 carry goods by sea to
the Persian Gulf and 10 transport them over
the five hundred or six hund ed miles be-
tween the Gulf and Teheran than to bring
tLem all TIE way from Moscow TO Tehernn
by rail This fact, though II should have
leen obvious, seems 10 Rave Eeen over
locked Ly mcst writers on Pefsian ques-
trrs
How. hon, has it happened that Russia.
with SO little advantage In respect of dis
lance. has managed 40 rapidly 10 absorb the
trade of mort hern Persia 10 The extent with
which she is popularity credited? Our
hor answers that after going into the
question Az thoroughly IA the chaotic oon-
ti ions Of Persian statistics will allow. he
has reached 'hc convic, ion that In the first
place, the commercial predominance OF
Russia has been greatly exaggerated. owing
10 the publication OF erroneous figures, and
In The second place, that what progress she
has made at British expense has beer
achieved not through greater proximi y MOI
enhanced facility Of transport, but througl
deliberate system OF premiums and State
encoira cement Of trade, which has Tor I'll
aim ne commercial conquest OF the whole
country The Russian Government has ths
shrewclness TO see hat II the British public
orce believed its commercial Interest II
Persia TO hc gone it would never raise {
finger 10 prevent Russia from following W
her economic vic; DRY by political con
quest.
Mr. Whgham found that, as a matter o
fact British trade had not declined in Persi:
TO anything like the extent that has gen
orally been supposed, that even the northern
markets OF Persia would be at the mercy o
British exporters il they were computing OF
equal terms and that England still has 1t II
her power 10 adopt measures which. nj 'eas
In some degree, will counterfeit the Russian
system OF dirSct 81 ate assistance to trade
The remedy lies. he says. in the improve
ment Of communications and in the gradua
extension of British influence over southern
Persia He would have the British Govern
ment not only encourage railway buildinl
in southern Persia but also cooperate will
Germany in the construction OF the Eu
pirates Valley railway. the primary purpos
OF which s the restoration OF Mesopotaml'
TO the remarkable fertility which it onc
possessed. 1t Is. at the same time, eviden
that the author OF this book would have tina
railway strictly confined to commercial
purposes and that he would earnestly op
II