THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1908. PERSIAN PECULIARITIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9029, 16 January 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1908. PERSIAN PECULIARITIES.

The recent revolution in Persia is considered one of the indications that that portion of the East at any rate is bent upon taking a step forward. In this connection it is interesting to note what Mr Douglas Sladen and M. Eustache de Lorez, formerly of the French Legation at Teheran, have, in collaboration, just writttn concerning the Persians. Their book is entitled "Queer Things About Persia," and is full of interesting details of-the life of the late Shah, and his people, as observed by M. de Lorey during his residence at the court of the "King of Kings." Although the Persian is always described as the most courtly and polished of Asiatics, he is, as depicted in these pages, capable of the most savage cruelty. In his punishments he is as barbarous as the Turk, the Chinese, and the West African negro. Indescribable tortures are used to extort confession of crimes, roasting the feet over a brazier, a favourite punishment of the Spanish Inquisition; being one of the mildest. In cases of high treason, after the culprit has been beheaded, his wives and daughters are given as wives to people of the lowest class. The treatment of women is, indeed, little better than that of the most uncivilised races. As described by M. de Lorey, the Persian is a being in the lowest stage of decadence and moral corruption, the only excuse that can be made for him being that for cen-

turies he has been condemned to every form of dissimulation, servitude, arid baseness. The recent revolution is, we are lold, contrary to expectation, a reality. The clergy have been found in the van of the movement. Parliament is proving fruitful. Liberty of the press has been inaugurated, and sixty newspapers have sprung up, in which the Shah, hitherto held sacred, is freely criticised. Most remarkable of all is the foundation of schools for girls. In all quarters "the unchanging East" is on the move. ...... LIONEL TERRY. Lionel Terry declines to give any assurance to the authorities of the Seacliffe Asylum that he will observe the laws of that institution, and the Deputy-Inspector is of opinion that he should he removed to some place where there will be less chance of escape for him. Dr Truby King, Medical Superintendent of the Asylum, is of the same opinion. He thinks Terry's wish to be sent to prison should be gratified, as being better for himself and everyone concerned. The general public impression is that Terry is not insane, and it is certain that if he managed to escape from the colony there would be comparatively few persons in the dominion displeased at the circumstance. Dr Truby King, however, in a communication to the "Otago Daily Times," yesterday, attempts to dispel the illusion as tc Terry's sanity. He admits he k not a dangerous lunatic, but declares emphatically that "be is, and has been throughout, unquestionably insane ;and irresponsible," The Superintendent adds:: "'He is not a criminal and not blood-thirsty, but nothing would be allowed to stand in the waj of his effecting what he believed tc be necessary for the salvation of his race." It is not quite clear What is meant by the latter part of the sentence, except it implies that he •might take it into his head to kill more Asiatics. It would be difficult to make the average. New Ze-Uandei believe that he would be likely to dc anything of the kind were he liberated or should he again escape; (However, the doctor avers that he will not be allowed a further opportunity of escape, wherever he maj be located, und as he is not likely tc be liberated, we may conclude, barring that we have hearc .the last of Terry for some years tc come.