The sun., 1915-05-30
THE TURKO.pERSIAN EN-.
TENTE."
Notes on the Inner History OF a Teu.
ton Enterprise in Pan lslamism.

ish adventure in Persia IL may not be
embarrassing to give few particulars
regarding the origin of the so-called
Turko-Persian entente, connected with
Near Eastern politics and illustrative
not only of the diplomatic system and
political ambitions of the Young
Turks but also Of the German propa.
ganda. This enterprise. calculated to
raise unforeseen political difficulties
and obstacles within the sphere of
Mohammedan countries OF the Near
East. was based chiefly on the un-
sound theory Of Pan-Islamism and
the unauthoritative declaration of the
Holy War.
I have not only had exclusive op-
portunities OF following the develop
ment of closer relations between the
Turko-Persian political adventures
but have had many opportunities of
| being present at the various secret
meetings between the representatives
OF Young Persia" and Young Tur-
key"
1t was at the lonely house OF Hadji
Zeinal Abdin Maraghayi In Stamboul
that the first meeting took place be-
tween DR.. Behaeddin Shekir Bey and
DJavid Bey. as representing the Com
mittee Of Union and Progress" and
Hadji Zeinal Abdin Maraghayi, Hadji
Abdul Kerim Hindi. Mira Ali Ispha-
hanI and Seyyid Murteza Isphahan
as representing the "Andjuman-i-
Saadat-i-Iranian," incorporated with
the so-called Persian Nationalist
party, supporting the Persian ConSti-
tutionalists and especially the late
Sattar Khan.
| The outcome of this first meeting
was that both parties felt the neces-
sity OF closer understanding and
union against he common enemy.
England and Russia" 1t was agreed
at this first meeting that three repre-
sentatives from each party should
draw up a programme and form n
new Persian committee on the same
/ lines as that OF Union and Progress: !:
1t was also agreed that the name OF
the new Persian committee should be
the had-i-Tarraki-i-
lranian," "Comite Union ct Progress
PERSIAN"
Arrangement was made for further
and more frequent meetings between
the representatives of both parties
| financial and other assistance was
promised by the Young Turks. not
withstanding that the new committee
had accepted the principle OF extorting
money from rich Persians by means
of political terror.
After repeated meetings and dis
cuss!ons. an agreement was drawn up
and signed between the above mem
toned representatives as long ago as
1909. containing among many and
varied clauses the following principal
( points:
I. That a mutual offensive and de-
fensive alliance should be en&ered into
! between the two countries. with the pro-
viso that AfghanIstan might be event.
ually received into the alliance:
2 That committee formed OF well
known Turkish and Persian theologians
should work out a practicable scheme.
| In order 20 bring forward a thorough
| understanding between the Shlites and
Sunnites, and do away with all the re-
/ ligious differences existing between the
two Mohammedan sects:
| ). That both countries should work
together in delivering Persia from the
dangerous political pretences of Rus
sia. the enemy of Mohammedanism and
Mohammedans. and preserve its abso-
lutte integrity:
T. That Turkey should endeavor to
develop the economic resources OF Per-
sia and assist Persia financially
This interesting historical" docu.
ment was signed by Hadt Abdul
Ker!m Hindl and Mira All Isphahani
"on behalf Of Persia and by Enver
Bey and Talaat Bey ION behalf Of
| Turkey"
| Thus in 1909 were laid the founda-
tons Of the "Turko-Persian entente"
calculated to resenerate and reorgan-
/ ize the two almost hopeessly bank
rupt Mohammedan States.
! Interesting pamphlets in Persian
were scattered throughout the Shiite
world. emphasizing the necessity OF the
policy Of forgetting and forgiving"
| the past msunderstandings and the
/ Importance for all true believers "to
gather beneath the powerful flag OF
the Prophet"
Some of these pamphlets very deli
cately suggested the idea of accepting
Constantinople az the seat of the
| Khaliphate. and the Sultan as the
khaliph, because. II was suggest ed.
the geographical position of Constanti-
/ nope as well as the immediate politi-
cal relations Of the Padlshah with the
European Powers gave Turkey the
exceptional position Of mediating
power between the Mohammedan and
Christian world.
In short, the propaganda in favor
| Of the Young Turks was carried out
In every possible manner. but always
tempered and modified with Islam
ism in fact, Pan-Islamism was repre-
sented to he the whole spirit and es-
sence of this campaign, which was
ultimately destined to absolute and
utter failure.
| Thanks to this temporary influence
| over some Of the then leading Per-
slams the Young Turks succeeded in
| intriguing even against we'll known
Persian statesmen; they effected the
change of several Cabinets In Persia,
of Persian Ambassadors in Turkey
and apart from all this, they succeeded
through their Persian agents in
| Teheran in obtaining important docu-
ments relative to Persian relations
with England and Russia, while they
! were responsible for the creation In
| Persia of many parliamentary parties.
composed of hot headed Persian Depu-
ties thoroughly ignorant OF parliament
tary tactics
Notwithstanding all these under
handed intrigues, meetings and dis
cussions, no practical results We're
20 Two