New-York tribune., 1912-03-03
REPLIES TO SHUSTER
Gilbert Parker Says Russia viii
Never Get Persia.
NOVELIST SAILS FOR HOME
Denies Britons' Knees Are Wab
bling at Fear of War with
Germany.

Sir Gilbert Parker the novelist, sailed for
Southampton yesterday on the American
liner New York, after a visit OF three
months in this country, the greater part Of
which he passed In the desert land Of Ari-
zona and at Lakewood, N. ].
Sir Gilbert, who twenty-five years ago
was prompted to visit the desert from his
reading OF the "Arizonian," a poem by
Joaquin Miller, and his subsequent meeting
with the poet OF the Sierras. said he found
Arizona TO be as inspiring as the "Ari-
zonian" had suggested. Also he was pleased
to find there excellent golf links. upon
which he played incessantly.
Golf however, did not prevent Sir Gill
bert from giving some attention 10 the
statements made by William Morgan
Shuster. the American who went to Persia
to straighten out the financial affairs Of
that nation, and who returned recently
with some unkind things to say OF Eng
land and Russia In their relations with
Persia
"England's position in Persia" said Sir
Gilbert. "is misunderstood in America. Mr.
Shuster, 1 think, has misunderstood and
msunderstands the situation. / was one
VI iIlt IlleI1DeIS Ol 1dIlldnlPUt VINO sITOnS-
ly criticised the Anglo Russian treaty made
five years ago relative TO Persia. Russia
always has been a danger to our Indian
empire. We always had TO prevent her
from getting territorial possession or
authority in Persia, because she would then
have a sprngboard through Afghanistan
to threaten our most important possessions
My idea-and I was not alone in the
holding OF it--was that England should not
try to come TO an agreement with Russia,
but should watch her and thwart her when
ever she pushed her influence in Persia too
| far England cannot and will not allow
| Russia 10 possess Persia. II is life or death
with England. England does not want
| Persia. nor would the English people stand
for the acquisition for one moment We
want no more territory ami no more re-
| sponslbility.
England ought not TO have thought that
Russia meant anything else except to take
advantage Of that agreement. Weak gov
ernments are always seeking friends
Strong governments get friends without
seeking them Mr. Shuster had a difficult
task but do not think he really realized
England's position. and ] can understand
! now ne InlSullutISlOOu ileIs be ttItdlH VI
this England never will permit Russia to
absorb Persia and England will never alb
sorb Persia herself. There will be no di-
vision of Persia"
Sir Gilbert then commented on Mr.. Shus-
ter's remarks on the situation between Eng
land and Germany.
"Mr. Shuster is quoted" he continued.
"as saying that Englishmen's knees are
knocking together for fear OF Germany as
they walk down the Strand. The English
men have many faults. but they do not
wabble Germany is building a navy for
the obvious purpose Of being the strongest
naval and military power in Europe. We
are going TO try to prevent that, and our
knees are not wabbling. England will not
make war, but she will be prepared for it, :"
Sir Gilbert said that Lady Gilbert was
not a suffragette. and added that he him
self did not believe In woman suffrage.
Asked why. he said:
well, it differs In England from this
country. Here you have state governments
and can try suffrage in individual states,
and IL it does not work II does not hurt.
II you give universal suffrage here you
double your vote and II becomes serious
situation, as 1t is In England
Now, II you try 1t here in Colorado and