Evening star., 1941-08-26
Tukino the initiative


obliged to join with the Russians in
a forcible occupation of Iran. But
it is regret which will be tempered
by qualification that Britain, after
two years of reverses attributable in
part to scrupulous regard for the
rights of other countries, has shown
herself capable Of taking the initia-
tive when circumstances leave no
other rational choice.
One has but to turn back only a
few bloody pages of recent history
to discover the advantages that have
accrued to Hitler through his readi-
ness to strike first and strike hard,
regardless of the injury worked to
neutral states. Norway, in this re-
spect, is the classic example. Lulled
into false sense of security by her
neutral status, the little Scandi-
navian state was utterly unprepared
for defense when the Germans,
working with strong fifth column
inside Norway, struck in overwhelm-
ing force early in April of last year.
Britain was incapable of ejecting the
invaders, and as result has suffered
heavy losses from the increased
effectiveness of the Nazi counter
blockade.
This utter disregard of the rights
of small neutrals has characterized
the entire German war effort, and,
while the Nazi forces still are far
from Iran, it would be rash indeed
to assume that they are incapable
of driving through from Southern
Russia or Turkey.
fhus to this extent, it may be said
that the joint Russo-British action
is defensive in character, for the loss
of Iran to the Germans would be
disastrous for Britain. But Iran also
offers significant possibilities for
strengthening Soviet resistance in
Russia.
When Trans ruler, Reza Shah
Pahlevi, came to power sixteen years
ago, he began systematic moderni-
zation of his backward land, espe-
cially in transportation. With the
aid of Western advisers and tech
nicians, including Germans, Reza
Shah has built excellent motor roads
across his extensive country, to-
gether with a railway stretching
from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian
Sea.
Although this was done to develop
Iran economically, it incidentally has
made it a strategic highway of the
first magnitude in the present situa-
ton, when Britain and Russia are
seeking to join hands to confront
the growing menace of Germany in
the Near and Middle East. We're
Iran the roadless and railless ex-
panse of former times, there would
not have been the same incentive
to use it as the vital connecting link
between two great empires.
Even if Reza Shah decided on
making more than token resist
ance, the struggle is hopeless one.
Already the British and Russians are
penetrating Iran from several points
with large and well-equipped forces.
The relatively small Iranian Army,
with almost no airplaneS or mechan-
lied equipment, can offer no effective
resistance. The blowing up of
bridges and tunnels might delay, but
could not avert, the military occupa-
tion upon which Britain and Russia
are resolved
The strategic gains will be great.
Henceforth British troops as well as
equipment, including American sup
plies, can be moved quickly and
easily to Russia, especially to the
Caucasus region, which soon may be
threatened by the German drive
through the Ukraine. Also, the rich
oil fields of Southwestern Persia,
on which the British fleet relies
chiefly for refueling in that part of
the world, will be insured against
possible sabotage. Even more than
in Iraq, German schemes of pene-
tration have been forestalled be-
| times
Against these tangible gains there
may have to be Offset certain in
| tangible losses. From Turkey to
Afghanistan, the native peoples are
apt to fear and resent this drastic
action of great powers which have
traditionally dominated those re-
gions. Yet the Oriental respects the
successful use of force, so the occu-
patton of Iran will tend to heighten
Anglo Russian prestige. Also the
fact that the Iranians are Shah
heretics presumably will mitigate the
religious resentment of their ortho-
dox Moslem neighbors.