PERSIA AND THE POWERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1560, 2 October 1912, Page 7

PERSIA AND THE POWERS.

ANGLO-RUSSIAN ENTENTE. Ey Tcleerapa-Press Association-rConyrielit London, September 30. It- is officially announced that M. Sazanoff (Russian Foreign Minister) and Sir Edward Grey (British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), are in complete accord.. They have not discussed the newPersian agreement, neither do they intend or .desire partition in order to expedite the withdrawal of troops. They are considering methods of strengthening- the Persian Government. THE DOOM OP PERSIA. Mr. Lovat I'rasor, who has an intimate knowledge of tho Near East, declares that "at any moment events may happen in Persia which will mean in reality, if not in form, the passing of an ancient Empire. Turkey has had many lives, but Persia as ;m independent State is at her last gasp." And "The Times" makes the startling suggestion that the time has come for <T British occupation of Southern Persia— Russia being already in full possession of Northern Persia. "Northern I'ersia," says "The Times," "has become, and must continue to be, a Russian Dependency. While Great Britain is certain to do her best to avoid anything like military occupation of Southern Persia, our policy of drift is leading inevitably to occupation. That js a development which we should view with the greatest repugnance, though wo are being driven to recognise that, in spito of our repugnance, we may have to accept it. If it. is to be avoided, or if, assuming its inevitability, it is to tako plate with the 'minimum' of friction and the 'minimum' of danger, Great Britain and Russia must take counsel together, and must frame a joint policy based on the actual facts of. the situation. Not less necessary is it that, when such a policy has been agreed upon, the two Governments should see that it is loyally and consistently followed by all their representatives and agents in Persia. "The central Government in Teheran enjoys no prestige, exercises hardly any authority outside the capital, and is incapable of assuming any responsibility. In the northern provinces order is only maintained by the presence of Russian troops, and in the south it is not main- , tained at all. Tho revenuo is falling off, the Treasury.is empty, and M. Mornand, the Belgian Treasurer-General, is even said to have hinted at resignation. Actual bankruptcy is staved off by the advance of small doles by Groat Britain and Russia; but the project of a big loan, which was to have provided Persia with sufficient money to set her house in order and make something like a fresh start, eeoms to be as far from realisation as evor. No loan of any magnitude is practicable without an Anglo-Russian guarantee; and this guarantee could obviously only bo given on conditions that tho moiipy would to snfnt. to some purpose." "There can'be little doubt about tlm course the British Government will adopt," says Mr. Fraser in the "Mail." "It is less risky to take action in Southern Persia than to imperil the entente. But we shall not. go to Southern Persia vory willingly, and shall do as little as we can there. The stop will in any caso produce a new wave of indignation among tho Mohammedans in India."