Persia Again
The recent lull in the Persian question has always depended on two conditions—the implementation of the Russian promise to evdtuate all troops from Persia before May 7th and the upholding by the Persian Government of its rather surprising decision to withdraw its case from the consideration of the Security Council
of the United Nations. The second of these conditions has already been removed. The Persian Ambassador has revived in New York his complaint of Russian interference, and the Security Council can now look at the case with both eyes instead of with one only. The other condition is toppling. Even if Russian troops are dear of Azerbaijan, the Persian Government is still prevented from con- firming the fact and so far the Russians have not confirmed it themselves. At the same time, from Tabriz comes the announce- ment that the National Governments of Azerbaijan and Kurdistan (two bodies whose existence was not hitherto suspected) have signed a treaty of mutual recognition and assistance. The treaty was signed in Russian occupied territory. The Security Council has postponed further discussion until May zoth to give either the Russians or the Persians a chance to say what has really happened, and until then the question of Russian intentions in Persia remains open. Apparently the Persian Government has its doubts, and it is in the best position to judge.
