Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-19
Another Survey Made.

The Russians have already surveyed q
route for q. railway from Julia, the ter
minus Of their transportation system In
the Caucasus, south Of Mount Ararat,
via Tabrz and Kazvin. to Teheran, and
they have already built wagon road
nearly the entire distance, which is capa-
Bile Of being used for military purposes
whenever 1t may be needed. This road
will enable the Russians to throw any
number OF troops and any amount of ar
tillery and military supplies into the
heart Of Persia at any moment.
In the agreement which Baron Won
Bethmann-Hollweg has announced moth
key and Persia. although the proposed
railways are confined entirely to the ter
ritory Of those two countries. Nor can
IT be ascertained that there have ever
been negotiations for concessions for such
roads: Germany and Russia appear to
take 1t Tor granted that Turkey and Per-
STA will concede anything they demand
regardless Of other interests. and 1t re-
mains to be seen whether England,
France and the United States. which are
all directly involved in conflicting pfopo-
sitions. will permit those nations to be
bulidozed.
It is not to be expected, of course,
that the United States will take an ac-
tive part In the controversy. The policy
of our government does not permit us to
Interfere In European affairs At the
same time. the Department Of State at
Washington and the American embassy
at Constantinople have given their official
Endorsement to the Chester syndicate and
have demanded of Turkey the ratification
of the concession which was granted by
the department of public works. APP
grand vizier and by him submitted to the
chamber of deputies with a recommends
ton that it be promptly confirmed. And
1t would have been confirmed last spring
-
man ambassador. threatened to throw the
influence OF the German government In
favor of Greece in the Cretan controversy.
and vote against an increase OF the Turk
ish tariff on imported merchandise.
The Turks cannot change their tariff
without the Consent of the European pow
ers. They are now permitted to charge
an import duty OF IL per cent ad valorem
and asked permission to increase the
rate to Is per cent. which Germany re-
fused to grant If the chamber OF deputies
ratified the Chester concession.
Up to Uncle Sam.
It is now up to President Taft and
Secretary Knox to decide whether Ger
many shall be allowed to kick an Ameri-
can concession. which they applied for
out of the Turkish parliament without
some sort Of q remonstrance on the part
Of our government.
The Persians have become very FESTIVE
over the aggressive movements OF Rus
STA upon their territory and their govern
ment has made earnest renonstrances
against the retention Of Russian troops
at Teheran and other cities. because there
Is no farther excuse for their remaining
The Russians declined to withdraw the
troops unless Persia makes the following
concessions:
First. permitting q Russian company 70
have monopoly for the navigation Of
Urmi lake. a large body Of water near
Tabriz, In the northwestern corner OF
Persia. and for the development OF min
erai resources in that neighborhood.
second, contracts with the Russian off,
GERS now In commend Of the Cossecks
hrirades of the Persian army for long
term of years. which would practically
place the Persian military force I'M
der the permanent command Of Russian
Third. railway concessions in northern
Persia. seg.
Fourth. concessions fer the development