Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-07
WORLD WAR May
. BE SALVATION
FOR PERSIANS
Rev. {. |. Lawrence, Returned
Missionary, Tells Of Con-
ditions; Says Country
Has Gone Backward.

Rev E. T. Lawrence, NJ. D.
Presbyterian missionary stationed
at Kazvin, Persia, is visiting in Oma
ha with his wife and two daughters
Mrs. Lawrence Is sister of c. B
Wilson, 1905 Woolworth avenue
and Rev. ]. M. Wilson, pastor O
North Presbyterian church.
DR.. Lawrence spoke at Westmin
ster, church Saturday morning, anc
in the evening he spoke at an oper
air meeting of members of NORTH
Presbyterian church, in Kountze
park.
Persia has gone many step.
backward from the position it occu
pied centuries ago" he said. 1.-THE
\ present-day national life of the peo'
pie is at low ebb, but from an ex.
perience of nearly 20 years in thai
country | really believe that the wal
through which we have passed will
spell the salvation of Persia"
Diseases Are Common.
He explained that venereal dis.
X eases among the people are SO com.
mon that they are mentioned with
4 out thought of shame. Concubines
are condoned by the natives because
they believe that their prophet APP
proved of them.
Referring to the transportation
facilities of Persia, the doctor said
The Russians have extended a
line into north Persia, but the only
Persian railroad in the country is a
six-mile stub line from Terehan. the
capital city, to shrine. Many peo-
pie travel in four-horse coaches, the
animals being changed every l6
miles. | have seen a line of $50
camels carrying oil. There are some
macadam roads and the introduc-
ton of automobiles during the
period of the war will serve to slim
ulate better roads"
Left Before Armistice.
DR.. Lawrence and his family. &C
companied by five Russian nurses,
left Persia before the close of the
war. He was returning to the states
for his leave of absence, which is
allowed every eight years. The
British forces gave the party an
automobile convoy to Bagdad, more
than 500 miles, with Lewis machine
gun on the lead car and another gun
on the rear car, this for protection
against the Turks and Kurds. They
visited Bombay on their way home.
Ruler But u.
"The present shah of Persia is
only 20 years old, and he began to
rule when he was TO-" continued the
doctor. During the war he en-
deavored to maintain neutrality.
Many of the PersiaHs believed that
Russia had designs on the northern
part of their country, but it was
made clear to them later that the,
British government, before the war,
entered into treaty with Russia,
whereby the latter government
would ,confne its trade relations to
northern Persia and the British gov
eminent would operate in the south,
and that the British would maintain
the national integrity OF Persia.
When the war was started Persians
generally were anti-Russian. The
British sent forces into the country
to protect their interests. g.. a
"The Persian government, how
ever, is very weak. There is not
even q government census, and only
u small per cent Of the people can
read or write. The influence of the
English-speaking people WHO have
gone among the Persians is begin
ming to show results, but it will re-
quire many years for Persia to get
into the front ranks OF civilization" ;,