GERMANS DOMINATE PERSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 50, 29 February 1916, Page 4

GERMANS DOMINATE PERSIA.

DANGER OF REVOLUTION. THE ALLIES MOVE OUT. THOUGH PERSIA IS FRIENDLY. SYDNEY, this day. Miss Stuart, daughter of the late Bishop Stuart, formerly of Waiapu, and latterly head of the Church Missionary Society at Ispahan, has arrvied after being 21 years in Persia. She tells a remarkable story of German intrigue and machinations, which is causing them to leave. The Persians are absolutely friendly, but German propaganda, including that of democratic revolutionaries, is taking effect, and unless the Russians are able to send a s.trnog force to restore order the country might soon be found in th© thoes of internecine strife, it is to Germany’s advanage to cause such ir. ruption. German influence in Persia has been so rapid and its operations so well planned, that it is undoubtedly a part of a prearranged programme. Before the war there Avas scarcely a German in the country, but since it ttias become overrun, and they are soAving dissension everyAvhere. The first German who arrived Avas supposedly interested in carpets, his suave pockets bulging with English gold. He spent lavishly and Avas the pioneer of a brigade of spies. India is the .real bbjective' of German activity. The Persian native press is controlled by Germans', and the Shah is a mere hoy puppet in the hands of the government. Although friendly to the Allies Ispahan Avas evacuated by British and Russian subjects in September, ing to trouble fomented by Germans, avlio Avere responsible for the assassination of the head of the Russian bank, and the attempt on the life of the British consul. Most of the trouble is fomented in southern Persia, and the Allied residents at Yozo are having an uncomfortable time. Tidings are anxiously awaited at Teheran, Avliere everything is quiet, although the SAvedish officers and gendermarie are suspected of pro-Germanism. While avg were at Kerman avc received word at the end of December to seek a safer abode. Twenty-three British subjects, the Russian Consul, 6 Cossacks, and 20 .Vmeaian? j -urneyed to the coast on mules, camels and donkeys, escorted by i 5 troops.

It took 25 days to reach Bundar Abbas, where we caught a transport to Bombay,