The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-23
POWERS TO FACE:
A GRAVE CRISIS.
Persia Is Latest Apple Of Dis
cord Among European
Nations.
GER M ANY TO PROTEST
Will Resent Anglo-Russian At
tempt to Secure CONNER
cial Advantages.
ieERMA ANY TO PRO TEST

Berlin. May 22.--Unless all indica-
tions fail. Europe will very shortly be
face to face with another international
political situation OF the same grave
character as the Moroccan crisis OF
1905-06. The apple of discard Is Per-
sia, and the stormy petrol is Germany.
1t became known this week that the
Kaiser's ambassador to London. Count
Wolff Mettornich, has been instructed
to register the most vigorous protest
at the British Foreign Office against
Anglo Russian attempts to monopolize
economic and financial opportunities
in Persia. Count Pourtales. the Ger
man ambassador to Petersburg, has
been directed to make similar repre-
sensations to the Russian government.
Germany has come to the sudden
conclusion that the scheme for the
division OF Persia into two British
Russian spheres of influence. does not
safeguard the principle OF the open
door as vigorously as the Anglo-Rus-
sian convention of 1907 purports to
do. Fearing the door may be slammed
In the face OF German opportunity IN
the Shah's domain, the kaiser's gov
eminent decided TO strike djplomau-
cally for the assertion of what are
held to be the Fatherland's endangered
rights.
In Berlin official quarters II Is In
sisted with the usual vehemence that
pourparlers undertaken In London anu
st. Petersburg are OF most amicable
and informal character and cannot lead
to serious consequences. This, how
ever is a version OF the German pro-
test. which Is far from the real truth.
The Times correspondent has the best
ground for stating that Germany has
| decided that the present moment is OPP
| FORTUNE for insurins itself OF much
wider privileges in Persia than England
and Russia have hitherto been willing
to concede. Just what Germany de-
mands is notSyet clear.
Will Make Report.
A representative OF the Deutsche
Bank, who has been Investigating the
| commercial and financial opportunities
| in Persia, is now en- route 10 Berlin
from Teheran, and the German plans
and ambitions will not be disclosed I'M
til he makes his report TO the German
!. government. Recollecting the manner
in which Germany, Austria and Hun
gary enforced their will upon the An
kslo- Russian French entente in the Bal
kan crisis has apparently determined
Germany to play similar card IN
Persia. 1t is VIGOROUSLY open secret
!, that England was the only member OF
the group which was ready to hight
for the overthrow of the Bosnian an
nexation, and that Austria Hungary
got Its way simply because neither
Russia nor France was inclined to &c
to war.
German diplomatic stratsgists figure
: that the domestic political crisis IN
! England. as well IS the situation con
seouent upon the death of King Ed
ward, nakes 1t Impossible for Britain
on this occasion to assert itself as
forcibly or resolutely as it was pre-
pared to do during the Balkan crisis
Germany figures. in short, II Its de-
mands in Persia are now PIT forward
:, with determination the internatlonal
situation is such that no really effec-
!, tive resistance can or will be offered
to them.
AS soon as Kaiscr Wilhelm has re-
turned from England and Great Brltali
! has emerged from It's vale Of tears fol-
; lowing the death of the King, 1t may
he expected that the German policy
9TH regard to Persia will rapidly de.
, velop. Hungary, of course !:
lexnected to show It's gratitude fot
German services In the Bosnian con-
dict nv standing firmly at the Father
lands back in the diplomatic asser'
tion of German rights in Persia.
stll another factor which enters
,,to C,ermany's calculations is that
) pers,an crisis would provide patriotic
Aversion from the bitter interna
!, struggle for franchise reform In Prus
STA Germany 1t has long been sur
/. missed that the ruling power IN BERN
! would he compelled to resort to tins
!; familiar Rismarck1an eSpedient for ae
! necting attention from this ugly am
, unmanageable domestic situation.