The Detroit times., 1910-11-05
DRITIsHAND SHAFTS
TROOPS CLASH ON
PERSIAN SOIL
Pitched Battle May Mean That
Scheme by Great Britain and
Russia To Grab Territory Has
Been Started.
Persians Have Appealed Secretly To
France and Germany for Protec-
ton Against Aggrandizement.

TEHERAN, Persia, Nov. 4.-The Brit
tsh invasion OF Persia has begun with
a pitched battle, in which il is re-
ported that the commander and sew
eral OF the sailors OF the British Cruis-
er Prosperine, were wounded.
Serious trouble. even 10 the point OF
involving Russia, France and Ger
many Is expected TO follow.
According 10 advices which have
been received here, the Prosperine
landed force OF marines several days
ago at Lingah. in LaTistan, gulf OF
Persia An additional force oil blue
Jackets was landed today, and II Is
reported here tnat they were al
tackled By the Persians, pitched
battle resulting. 1t is not definite
who won.
Though ostensibly for the purpose
of maintaining anu preserving order
IN the British sphere of influence in
Persia" there is every reason for the
belief that the British invasion Is
part of q well-founded program be-
tween Great Britain and Russia for
the partition OF the little shah's king
dom
The Persians, so regarding 1t. have
declared they will fight TO the end,
and have even appealed secretly 10
Germany and France for protection
against the aggrandizement OF the
car and the British Germany. Aus
tria and France are opposed TO the
acts of the British and Russians and
may enter a formal protest AS
matter Of fact. the opposing nations
regard the matter as one OF serious
consequences, and it would not be
surprising to see them 90 10 almost
any length to prevent the gobbling up
of Persia.
There are vital reasons why Eng
lane and Russia want TO seize Persia
and list as vital reasons why Ger
many. France. Austria and even Tur-
key will oppose the move.
Russia must remain a second-rate
mower forever unless she can obtain a
seaport perennially free from ice. For
hundreds of years Russia has been
planning automatically 10 secure
such a port. Every port In Russia Is
blocked some time during the year
by ice. II was her need for an open
port that drove Russia to the far east
and caused her to seize Vladivostock
and Law her eyes upon other Asiatic
ports. She could reach these ports by
means of the Trans-Siber1an railroad.
But Japan. seeing the danger, drove
Russia away.
Russia turned toward Persia There,
on her Turkistan frontier. lay Persia,
with ports along the Persian gull ana
the Gulf OF Omar open TO the ARABIAN
sea all the year round. Russia be
gan "Russianizing" Persia establish
ing Russian schools. banks. commerce
railroads and churches. When there
was an uprising in Teheran, Russian
cossacks poured across the frontier
and uuelled the outbreak. The cEar
was preparing TO get a port In when
no ice gathered. that his commerce
and his navy might move all the year
round.
England was just as vitality inter
ested. Her Indian frontier was con-
stantly menaced. The tribesmen OF
India along the Persian frontier. have
never been loyal They might aid
any enemy invading India through
Persia
To prevent this danger. England
began "anglicizing" that part Of Rus
STA within the British sphere Of in
fiuence."
Some time ago England notified
Persia that unless order was main
tanned in the portions of Persia over
which she had set her eye. England
would send an armed force into the
country, restore peace, and charge an
indemnity. Persia, unable 10 pay an
indemnity, would have her customs
houses seized. and the annexation
would be complete.
II was in pursuance Of this threat
that the English force landed. Eng
land and Russia are believed TO be
acting in perfect accord.
Germany and France and Turkey
are naturally opposed 10 giving Rus
STA open seaports and enabling her to
become a menace to their peace. They
are equally opposed to allowing Eng
land 10 strengthen her position in
India. They must take some action
for their own protection. it is believed.
England and Russia, by the same
method of reasoning. must seize Per
sia for their own protection. Austria
Is bound TO stand in concert with Ger
many. All the nations must act and
a beautiful diplomatic game, which
may end In open rupture, is believed
70 be in progress.