Moussadek on Trial
Dr. Moussadek's conduct at his trial lacks dignity but not spirit. Confinement, as he complains, may have chilled his bones : it has not frozen his old capacity to turn any incident with himself at the centre into a violent farce. It would be unnatural not to feel some admiration for the old fanatic who even in the face of absolute defeat can so steadfastly act the clown. If he is sentenced, he will not appeal; if he is released, he will commit suicide. So he says. Now he refuses to attend further sessions of the court, and invites his judges to cut off his head; now he asks Press photographers in the courtroom to take some good pictures and post them to him so that he can see what he really looks like Not long after a violent outburst he can remark : "I like being here—my cell is so cold and I ha_ve nothing to do." For all hi g weeping and wailing, he seems to be enjoying the early stages of his trial. At one point he succeeded in stinging the chairman of the tribunal into the protest : " We are more fanatic in our patriotism than you." It is a sentiment which General Zahedi, thinking of the_excita- bility of Persian public opinion, will have to echo. As Dr. Moussadek's trial continues, so do the Anglo-American-Persian negotiations spun by Mr, Herbert Hoover, Mr. Dulles's adviser in matters of oil. His recent visit to Persia seemed to be to General Zahedi's satisfaction. Soon he will be bringing Mr. Dulles's latest views to London, and then be will be off to Teheran again for another round of negotiation. Persia is ob- viously anxious -to arrive at a settlement. So are the American oil companies. It is for Britain to make certain that it does not get the bad end of the bargain.
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