PERSIAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7, 8 January 1907, Page 2

PERSIAN AFFAIRS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Persia is to be a constitutional monarchy. This country is the chief seat of the Shiite branch of Mohammedanism. From the "Viaggi" of Pietro della Valle, that chatty pilgrim who resided there in the reign of James 1., of England, we see how Shah Abbas played off the various ambassadors from European countries against one another; how, with an appearance of levity, worthy of a low comedian, he managed to bamboozle the Spanish ambassador and the Portuguese, make use of the English resident, pretend to snub the Muscovite, and, by a consistent course of such policy, oust the Portuguese from Ormuz, with the help of English vessels and artillery. A similar game must be played hy the present Shah, if he can be as able as that predecessor of his, in steering a successful course between the conflicting interests of England, Germany and Russia. Upon the policy of the Shah depend the very important questions of the destiny of India and the future of Arabia and Egypt. The principal part of India where the Mohammedans are Shiites is Oude. In the time of James I. the Persians had successfully fought against Turkey. But the outlook for Mohammedanism at the present day might force a combination of the Shiites with the Sunnites for defence and aggresson. It must be borne in mind that spontaneous combustion is innate in Mohammedanism, or rather that a mere spark can kindle a vast and widespreading conflagration of fanatical fire. As Europeans, except Russians, never understand Orientals, the dangers of blundering are always to be apprehended.—l am, etc., MAURICE R, KEESING.