The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14,, 1909. PERSIA’S BID FOR FREEDOM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2475, 14 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14,, 1909. PERSIA’S BID FOR FREEDOM.

The latest phase of the struggle of the Persian people for constitutional liberty, is one that is terrible tb contemplate, for the cablegraphist informs us that 100,000 persons are famishing at Tabriz, where the revolutionists are besieged by the Shah’s troops. After all, this is but the traditional method of political upheavals, for the people's rights have rarely been attained in any portion of tlie world's history without a shocking expenditure of money, energy and human lives. A notable exception was that of Turkey, which, after groaning for a century under one of the most accursed regimes that was ever swayed by Oriental despot, ultimately secured, last year, a fairly democratic constitution without the loss of a single life. In Persia, however, it would seem that the pathway to political reform will bo strewn, with blood and it is even doubtful that the ancient empire will survive the conflict of the opposing, forces within its own boundaries. It may indeed be taken for granted that had Russia and Britain not come to an amicable understanding regarding the preservation of Persian independence the civil war, which has been going on for the last 12 months, would have been made the occasion for foreign intervention of a kind that would have augured ill for the future of the eastern nation. The cause of all the trouble is simply the refusal of the Shall to grant any substantial power to representatives of the people. It was towards the end of 1906 that the late Miizaffer-od-Diu-Shali conceded to the people in the closing months of bis reign a political constitution. Under this a National Council or Mejl iss was brought into existence to conduct the government of, the country. Shortly after its appointment the old Shah died and Muhammed Aii was appointed in his stead. The now Shah had on. three, occasions ratified' the con-

stitution; twice wbi’c ho was-Crown Prince and also at the time of his accession to the throne, but lie appears to have violated his pledges in the most flagrant manner. Disagreeing with , so mo of its acts ho defied the Council. The members then.sent him an ultimatum and he retorted by investing the city of Teheran with his Cossack soldiers, and destroying the Parliament and other buildings. Several of the leaders of the popular party were shot down, or arrested and afterwards tortured and executed. But the Nationalists, though defeated in the capital were strong in some of the provinces, particularly in Azerbaijan, the chief town of which, Tabriz, has been, held by tho Nationalist troops against the Shah up to the present time. Now it would appear that their determined resistance is almost at an end and the starving populace will he compelled to surrender. This result lias been brought about by tlie advantage which always accrues to tlie side- which controls the purse-strings. Tho Shah had evidently succeeded in retaining an ample supply of funds, and ho has missed no opportunity of borrowing, wherever possible, from other nations. The people protest with vigor against his acts and have warned foreign States that any loans made to the Shall or any treaties made by him will subsequently be disclaimed by the people as a whole. An appeal has been officially made to Britain to intervene, but although representations have been made to the Shah both by Russia and Britain, neither nation lias so far cared to take the extreme step of interfering with. the internal affairs of Persia. Twelve months ago Sir Edward Grey stated that if a general movement on behalf of freedom and good government

should tako practical shape it would lack no sympathy from England, but tiio promise has not, up to the present, materialised into definite action. With a brutal despot such a,s Mohammed Ali ready to murder and torture any who venture to claim the ordinary rights of civil liberty, the popular desire for “freedom and good Government” can scarcely be expressed in the definite manner that Sir Edward Grey is apparently looking for. Meantime the wretched Persians must fight out their destiny in much suffering and bloodshed.