FIGHTING IN PERSIA.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 7

FIGHTING IN PERSIA.

DEFENCE OF TABRIZ. THE SHAH'S TROOPS REPULSED. HAND BOMBS USED. (bt telegraph—fress association— cofteigut.) (Rec. September 15, 0.10 a.m.) London, September 14. "The Times" states that further fierco fighting has occurred at Tabriz, the leading city of North-West Persia, wlicro the Nationalist (Constitutionalist) forces have been for some time successfully resisting the Shah's troops. The Shah's soldiers,. after penetrating to the loopholes of Sata Khan's defences, wero repulsed with considerable loss. Hand bombs wore effectively used by the defenders, causing a panic among the Shah's troops. THE NATIONALISTS' LEADER. Sata Khan, erstwhile brigand, subsequently a horsedealer, ana now a political enthusiast, leads the Constitutionalists at Tabriz. _ He is keen and resolute, but high strung, with considerable personal magnotism (writes a correspondent of "The Times"). Sata Khan, in stating his case to tho journalist, declared that the late Shah bad given to the people constitutional government, and that the present Shah had confirmed his father's action. Their quarrel was not with the Shah, but with the local ecclesiastics, who counselled the Shah to reinstate despotic government. British influence and protection had made the granting of a constitution possible. Therefore they had naturally turned to British influence to help them to maintain it. Why was thiß protection refused? If the leaders had been granted tho hospitality of the British Consulate, tho trouble in Tabriz would have been over early in July. Wo must not lose sight of the fact, the correspondent concludes, that the Persian's appreciation of constitutional government is only Clio satisfaction at his release from priest-inspired thraldom, and that he does not grasp tho true and correct limitations of national freedom.