THE REVOLUTION IN PERSIA
THE Kajar dynasty has come to an end. Last week the Mejlis, or Parliament, of Persia deposed tote Shah. This might have happened any time in the past few years, as the Shah has persistently preferred the Riviera to - his own country. Now and again he has announced that it was.: his intention. to return to .Persia and govern it. But_ when a few weeks: had - passed he changed. his, mind. NQW that he has been deposed he has issued a protest, but we need not take seriously the talk about his returning to regain! by force what has been taken from him by a popular vote.'
During the short time that he tried to govern he was burdened by a Constitution which he did not wish to' renounce but which, so it was said, made it impossible, for him to call unruly persons to order. If he had had the spirit of his ancestors he might have overthrown the Constitution. He might have resorted to their savage ways of torturing the enemies of the monarchy—or, rather of the ruling monarch. He might. have subjectedf them to protracted torture or blinded them :or buriect them alive.. To his_ credit, be it said, that was not his way. So he remained in: the Riviera mildly thinking out a solution which he never. reached. _ .
He has lived out of Persia since. November, 1923; He has no heir by a Kajar princess. Recently the nominal Regent has been his brother, who was the heir-presumptive.
The real ruler lately has been that strong man of Persia, Riza Khan Rahlevi, who has now been formally entrusted by the Mejlis, with_ the task of :governing: Under what form will Persia be ruled ? We do not yet know. Riza Khan in 1924 tried to set up a Republic, but the Shiah Ulenta informed him that there was no warrant for a Republic in the Koran. It would indeed be highly irreligious. Accordingly Riza Khan abandoned the project, though we may venture to think that if he still wants a Republic the Shiah ecclesiastics may discover that what is irreligious for Turkey need not be irreligious for Persia. No doubt the differences between Shiahs and Sunnis are considerable—still we shall not disbelieve in the possibility of a Republic, unless, of course, Riza Khan should prefer to be a monarch. As against the likelihood of a new monarchy it must be said that the Persians are genuinely attached to their dynastic traditions and might not like a usurpation.
Riza Khan has made himself by his ability and energy. He began life as a soldier in the ranks and saw much active service with the Cossaek Brigade. In time he became the most notable officer in the Brigade and eventually he received the command of an army. In 1920 he organized the coup d'etat which overthrew_ the Government. He then exchanged the soldier's life for that of the politician. He was Minister of War five times and in 1923 he became Prime Minister. He is still in his forties. He has an intense hatred of the Russian Bolsheviks, and under his rule Persia has gained in orderliness and prosperity. .
. To Englishmen it is a matter of indifference what form' of government Persia adopts :so long as she is contented and• prosperous. We are , glad, to, know that Sir Perey. Loraine,. the British Minister at Teheran, is on excellent terms with Riza 'Khan, and there thus seems to be a fortunate opportunity for Great Britain to play the part of a disinterested friend, to Persia in a new phase as a thriving independent State.
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