ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18851, 23 January 1933, Page 6

ANGLO-PERSIAN OIL

it is notoriously hard to know Iho truth about, "oil politics,” but it is easy to discover motives for the sudden' cancellation of Ihc Anglo-Persian oil company's concession by tho Persian Government (comments the Manchester Guardian.'. This huge organisation, in which the Brilisii Government holds two-thirds of the shares, lias larger inleresls in Persia than all tho oilier Brilisii and foreign concerns lliere pul logellier. II gives employment to sumo Iwenty lliuusaiid Persians and lias created many public works in I lie south of the country. The present Shall of Persia (IH'/.a Khan Pahlcvi) came to the throne, I Hanks to a nationalist revolution, which saved his people from a Brilisii protectorate. Me eamiol. ho expcele.t pi forget Hie recent past. His pollev has been consislenlly directed lo free the Persians from capilillations and ail the other irksome limilalions on their sovereignty to which the Knd.iar monarchs had submitted. The Angloperslan Oil Company lias been tactfully administered and lias allowed HiShall Lu carry Ills authority unchecked

inlo Mic area which it explaits. But. it was certain lo lie ml si iked at Teheran, where splendid royalties alone could reconcile a proud but needy riovernnienl to ils exlslcnce. These royalties have steadily declined since I PHI; in Mbit they readied a record In low levels. Bence Persia's pressure for another royalty agreement; hence her abrupt cancellation of the whole concession, Her action is provocative and legally assailable. But legal points should not decide . this case. ■ Great Britain lias 100 big an interest in the fields to let the mattei go, but she should treat the Persian Government with patience. Times have changed much since the original concession was obtained from decadent and alien rulers. Persia is ready to negotiate for a new contract. She should be taken at her word. The East is changing and the West must meet it.