The Cordova daily times., 1915-06-10
NEUTRAL PERSIA IS IN DIRE
 STRAITS

sia, although the country is neutral. Business and financial conditions could be no worse if Persia were the center of hostilities. Trade has been at standstill since the beginning of the war. The exchange rate Is so un- favorable that the silver kran, for. merly worth about ten cents, now brings only about 6h to : cents. The | government is at it's with's end in an effort to find money to pay salaries 1 to government officials. There is an unprecedented scarcity of silver coins, and many well-to-do citizens have buried all their savings, fearing the uncertain times of war
 Trade with foreign countries ceased at the outbreak of war Caravan routes are made dangerous and risky by the activity of tribesmen and bandits. The usual large shipments of tobacco and opium have accordingly been stopped, with very serious re- suits to the considerable sections of the community dependent on this trade for their livelihood.
 Financially Persia is dependent upon Russia and England, the two banks, one English and the other Russian, are facing very serious diff culties. The Russian government originally prohibited exports of pet roleum and all sorts of food supplies into Persia, fearing that these com modities might indirectly reach Tur- key. This caused a sweeping rise in the price of petroleum. sugar. and other things. The prohibition was abolished some time later, and prices went down again, but not to their previous level.
 The industrial centers where woven fabrics, rugs, silve rand leather ware sword blades, earthenware and articles of luxury are manufactured, are all in a state of prostration. The Armenian dealers and agents have received notices from all their clients in Eng land and. America that no further inn ports are to be expected for a long time.
 The alliance between Russian and England has caused much speculation and alarm in Persia. With only a limited acquaintance with the geog- raphy and current history of western Europe, most Persians jumped to the conclusion that the alliance must have some foundation in Persian affairs. They soon found an explanation, which is still generally accepted. The two great nations, this explanation ayers, decided to put an end to their squabbles over Persia by forming an alliance and dividing Persia between them in accordanve with the spheres of influence" established by the con- vention of 1907.
 Accordingly, the Persian sympathies naturally went in most cases to Ger. many. The addition of Turkey to the list of combatants created a termend. ous impression, more especially upon the clergy. The German legation at Teheran fostered this feeling of friendship toward Germany. Matters l came near a crisis with the discovery of plot to murder the Russian, Brit. ish, French and Belgian ministers The plot failed only because of a premature explosion of some bombs which were to have been used.
 Russian prestige suffered further | setback soon afterward when Tabriz and Urmia were temporarily occupied by the Turks.
 The handful of Belgians residing in Persia, most of whom are engaged in work as finance controllers and GUS toms officers, has also been the sub. | ject of popular animosity, and on one | occasion nothing but the lucky arrival of a force of gendarmes under a Swed, ish military officer saved the finance controller from violence.