Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-07-21
WHAT'S TO BECOME OF PERSIAN

WHAT'S TO BECOME OF PERSIA?
England and Russia have come to
an understanding and Persia is to
be partitioned up between them, de-
clares an anonymous writer in the
Correspondent (Paris). The Persian
Parliament is at present a dead let
ter, the body-guard Of the Shah is
commanded by Russians, and the Eng
lish Government give out through Sir
Edward Gray that they are determin-
ed on policy of non-intervention and
will respect "the integrity of Persia.
The real condition of things is. how
ever, says the writer quoted, as fol-
lows:
"The Persian people are sufficient
ly acquainted with European political
dealings to know at once what is
meant by such phrases and such
promises as guarantee the integrity
and the independence of any country,
when such pledges are given by pow
erful governments who begin by vio-
lating the fundament..l principles. Of
international law. and show no re-
spect whatever in time of peaceS for
the sovereign rights of an independ-
ent state. OF the Anglo Russian
agreement it is plain truth to say
that it amounted to neither more nor
less than surreptitious apportion-
ment of Persia to two powerful and
dangerous neighbors. Tie sentiment
of aversion which the Persians have
always cherished toward Russia has
been intensified and the popularity
which England acquired through the
shelter which her legations gave to
Persian refugees during the revolu-
tion has been changed into distrust." :"
While deploring the consequences of
the Shah's coup d'etat, and the sue
ceeding massacres and executions
which were carried on by the Cos
sacks under the Russian commander
Liakoff, this writer declares that the
Persian national assembly was much
to blame in the matter. "Violent de-
bates" took place in the new assemb-
ly, Sin the course of which the per-
son of the Shah was grossly insulted
The representatives of the various
political clubs addrest a letter de-
manding extravagant terms from thei
ruler. No wonder foreign intervention
followed.
Every effort was made by England
to allay the anxieties of Persia. But
the hand of the British Government
was too plainly seen. The aim Of
Sir Edward Gray was palpably to Sc
cure the control of the Persian Gulf,
the route to India, and the Bagdad
Railway. Germany was to be cut out
and France treated as she had been
i treated in Morocco where Germany
and England have captured the mar
ket. To quote further from the Cor
respondent:
/. Russia and England have monopo
lized every advantage to be got out
of Persia. leaving only small want
age-ground to Germany. Persia is fol
France second Morocco. France in
deed has borne the cost of opening
doors for all the Powers, and has
spent money and sacrificed her sol
diers only to meet in the markets Of
Morocco German and English compel
itors against whom she can not strug
: gle with advantage, either in the
l mother country or in the colonie.
: without setting up protective tariff
1t is the same with Persia. What i.
done is done, but it is to be hopet
l that in that country France ma.
$ come in for share, however small
while the others are enjoying s.
Imany profitable privileges. The grea
cry nowadays seems to be bushes
is business This has become tn
single motto of peoples who in fol
mer times We're guided by nobler an
= more exalted sentiments" -Transls
ton made for The Literary Digest.