PERSIA AND THE TURK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 5

PERSIA AND THE TURK

THE RUMOURED AGREEMENT By T«lejraph—Press Association—Copyrlsht (Rec. November 5, 10.10 p.m.) London, November 5. Britain has joined Russia in a protest to Persia in reference to an alleged agreement with Turkey. Persia has replied that the report of an agreement with Turkey is unfounded. It was reported that, Russia had informed Persia that if the rumours of an agreement between Persia and Germany and Turkey were confirmed, the AngloRussian Convention for the maintenance of the integrity of Persia would immediately lapse. The "Manchester Guardian" Tecently published a long article on the subject of Germau intrigue in Persia. "German activity in Persia is, of course, nothing new," it said. "It has been directed for many years against the political and economic influence of England and Russia. It is, "however, since the beginning of tko war that it has become particularly intense, and has assumed forms which 'aro not only dangerous, but also incompatible with Persian neutrality. It aims at the organisation of a revolt of the Persian masses against England and Russia, and the dragging into the war .not only of Persia but also of Afghanistan. Propagandist ageuts are active in all t'he chief towns, and among tho tribes arms and gold are imported and distributed, and every effort is made to exploit the religious, nationalist and democratic sentiments of tho influential clergy in tho interests of Turkey and her Germanic allies. The real difficulty of the business is that the Persian Government,'whatever its will and intentions may be, is utterly unable to preserve the neutrality of tho country or even to combat the activity of the Germans. The Mejlis, remembering its grievances against the , Anglo-Russian Convention of August, 1907, is openly sympathetic to the Germans, and renders any energetio action on tho part of the Cabinet impossible. Its leader, Suleiman Mirza, the chief of tho Democratic. Party, is publicly agitating against Anglo-Russian diplomacy, and his words find a resounding cclio among tho Bakhtiari, who do not hesitate to threaten an armed revolt should the Government act in accordance with the wishes of the Allies. In consequence, Ministerial crises have become even more frequent than before, and all permanent authority has disappeared. No wonder the situation at present 'forms tho subject of discussion among the Entente Powers.' "

A Teceii't editorial in the Constantinople "Tanine" makes it clear that Turkisli opinion considers it inevitable that Persia will join the Sultan' as_ an active ally. The "Tanine" emphasises the opportunity of the times and points out Persia's duty with no uncertain voice: "Nations iu the condition Persia is now in are not saved by diplomacy. We tell our neighbours and co-re-ligionists in all friendliness that there is one and only ono way of salvation. When the war ends, the present map of Europe and that of Western Asia will also be changed. If- Persia hopes then to begin a period of prosperity she must now demonstrate her worthiness of such prosperity. This war will one day end. and around a table, where conditions of peace will be • agreed upon,-will meet the representatives of those peoples whose sons in thousands, yes, millions, have been sacrificed. If Persia hopes for decision from the mon at that table that will mean life and peace for her, shr has one thins to do to-day: With the watchword, 'Liberty or Death,' s'lie must throw herself into the breach and, with us, trample down the enemy."