Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-17
SITUATION IN PERSIA
Russia Dominant and InCreas-
ing Her Influence.
GREAT BRITAIN INACTIVE
Regent Acquiesees in Supremacy Of
- Cars Authority.
Whole Towns Accept Sovereignty of
Powerful Neighbor-Other
Nations Acquiescent.
By WILLIAM T.. CURTIS.

W
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
ODESSA, Russia, August IL, 1910.
The situation in Persia is encouraging
in spots. but not satisfactory.
While Mohame1 Ali, the banished shah.
10 here in Odessa, guest of the
Russian government, as the penalty of
his own folly in trying to brush back the
tidal wave of progress with an oId-.ash-
toned broom, his eeven-year-old boy
Ahmed, occupies the throne of Cyrus
and Artaxerxes. This situation is due to
the cooperation of Russia and Great
Britain, with the consent of the other
European powers.
The administration of affairs is in
trusted to a regent, a cunning old man
who held Office almost continuously for
half century under Muz-affar-ed-d,n
the late shah. He knows men and
methods perhaps better than any other
character in the cast OF the tragedy that
Is being played on the Persian stage
He is not aggressive, and does not at
tempt. nor desire. to be a dictator
Number One, as the orientals usually
designate the head man in every enter
prise, Is Sapekh-e-din, the secretary of
war, who is president of the cabinet He
Is the actual ruler of Persia. bv the
grace of 1swolsky, Russian minister OF
foreign relations.
He has q competent assistant in Sidar
Assad, commander-in-chief of the little
army, who is surrounded and controlled
by Russian aids and advisers.
The regent, theoretically, is the crea-
ture or the constitution and the servant
OF the mejhs (parliamenD. But when
ever the Russians want something the
quaint theory suggested by the late Tim
Campbell to President Cleveland. What's
q '(knS fYvtSe boo T-s<s.
swered without being asked
Russo British Pact.
Two years ago Great Britain and Russia
entered into u treaty for the control of
the Persian empire. the interest of Eng
land being due TO the fact that her Indian
colonies lie partially on the Persian gulf
IL is essential that no other European
power shall attain foothold there.
Russia has won by conquest from TIlr-
Key all the territory along the northern
boundary OF Persia. and absolutely con-
trolls the Caspian sea as In,lyl as if If
were pond In the park at Peterhoff.
England and Russia agreed that the
peace and tranquility of Persia are nee
"ssary to their welfare neighbors.
Hence Russia looks after things i'm the
northern half and England in the south
eTn half of the empire.
England Is doing nothing. however, to
make her situation more secure. She is
simply letting things drift.
Russia. on the other hand is doing a
great deal. With the same foresight
that has governed her policy in central
Asia she is preparing for .'eventualities, ;"
whatever they may he. in the future.
The ports Of Persia on the Caspian sea
are improved and their commerce is
facilitated by Russian money. \ splendid
highway has been built from Resch the
principal port, to Teheran the capital OF
Persia, at Russian expense, and a second
highway from the terminus of q branch
of the Central Asian railroad to Meshed
the principal city of northeastern Persia
There are 5000 Russian troops i'm north
ern Persia-at the request of the Per-
sian government-to preserve the peace
They will never leave that territory.
The regular army of Persia is COM
manded by Russian officers. A large
number OF merchants and other men Of
wealth and enterprise are becoming Rus
sian citizens and swearing allegiance to
the car In order to enjoy the protection
OF the Russian flag against revolutionists
and marauders OF their own race
classification of Rersia.
Entire villages and tribes I'm the north
Srn provinces Of Persia have yolunta rily