New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-26
Persia, a Strategic Centre
uu Sb Scc.sJ IN Her Srugglc for Freedom VIII She 20
Dopn 10 Ruin3

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The present realignment Of political
world power has created new problem IN
relation to Persia. For many years Persia
has been a centre Of the conflicting interests
Of Russia and England. Russia, deprived
Of an outlet into the Mediterranean, has
been stretching to the east and the south
east, and England's fear. for her own posi-
ton in India has caused her to reach out
to meet the advancing political influence
OF Russia. II is in Persia that the two
great powers have fought a political and
economic battle on the road from Europe
to India.
OF recent years foreign rivalries have pro-
duced in Persia powerful effects. They have
drawn II from the slumber Of generations
and produced ferment in its internal
policies, hopeful in so far as 1t has led to
the development of progressive national
movement but disastrous in so far as it
has produced general chaos and disorganiza-
ton. Persia now stands at the parting OF
the ways. Will she succeed in her struggle
for freedom and progress, or will she go
down to confusion and ruin?
The Revolution OF 1907
To obtain Just understanding of the
present political conditions of the Persians
one must realize that despite their natural
culture they had, rfter conquests and ma
tional disasters, resigned themselves sub
missively for many years to an autocracy
and had suffered all the necessary conse-
quences. The permeation Of Western ideas,
together with the gradual fruition Of native
culture, produced a revolution and estab-
lished constitution In 1907. From a state
of uneasy exploitation and national degener-
alton the people awoke, but, awakening, they
found their country the spoil Of Russia and
England, working sometimes In unison, some
times at cross purposes, under the dictates
Of "Welt politik"
It is under these difficult conditions that
TIE new constitutional Persia has sought its
salvation. Where Il has succeeded il is
testimony to the heroic self-sacrifce of its
founders and defenders and the innate good
sense of the Persian people. Where it has
failed, it is due mainly to the strains and
stresses Of rival foreign diplomacy, which
have warped its principles and thwarted its
purposes.
W. Morgan Shuster in 1911 in his extraor-
dinarily interesting book, "The Strangling
feTSla, wrote OF the people III IutlI
struggle for reform, "They, or at least
tain elements among them which had the
support of the masses, proved their capacity
to assimilate Western civilization and ideas.
They changed despotism into democracy in
the face of untold obstacles. Opportunities
were equalized to such a degree that any
man of ability could occupy the highest of
fetal post. As race they showed during
eve rai alad
ness for education. Hundreds of schools
were established during the constitutional
regime. A remarkable free press sprung
up over night, and fearless writers came
forward to denounce injustice and tyranny
from within their country or without. The
Persans were anxious to adopt wholesale
the political, ethical and business codes Of
the most modern and progressive nations"
Persia Released From Pressure
With Russia and England now allied and
with the attention of the former concen-
trated on her own reorganization, the out
look for Persia has undergone a complete
change. Russia has renowned territorial
aggrandizement and England is establish
ing her outposts in Mesopotamia in such a
way as to protect her general interests in
hSia "iShOuh SVmPcNih6 AOI PoNci III ctS'd
Thus Persia Is released from pressure and
has an opportunity to profit by the bitter
lessons she has learnt during the past half
century.
Persia can yet establish herself as a pro-
gressive, civilized community, and it is now
manifestly in the interest of the Western
nations that she should do so. No one can
suspect Persia of imperialistic or militaristic
designs. She has no need to seek conquest
Her territory, which is greater in extent
than England, France and Germany COM
bined, is rich in natural resources and is
but sparsely populated. There is ample
scope for her energies within her own
boundaries. Her natural destiny, therefore,
10 to become peaceful, industrial and COM
mercial nation, and 1t is desirable that
nation of this description should establish
itself in strength between Europe and east
ern and southern Asia.
Needs Support
The question arises, How can she take her
proper place? At first the injury which has
resulted from the selfish rivalry of foreign