On Monday Persia was elected a non-perinanent member of the
Council of the League. Spain and Venezuela were the other non-permanent members elected. In a way we regret the disappearance of China, who was not re-elected. Her retention an official position at Geneva might have steadied her in the negotiations which-must come later for the revision of the Treaties. On the other hand, if there is something lost there is something gained, for it is excellent that an ancient Moslem State should be included in the Council. And Persia deserves her new position. The progress she has made under her new Shah is remarkable. The administration has been purified, and roads, railways, bridges and dams are turning Persia into a modern industrial country. The westernization of the East is indeed one of the principal phenomena of the post-War period. In Turkey the Ghazi unceasingly continues his reforms which are submerging the landmarks and customs of the past. The Roman alphabet is already in a fair way to supersede the beautiful but intricate Arabic characters.. Perhaps before long we shall hear of Afghanistan appealing for membership of the League. That country is so strangely deorientalizing itself as to do away with all forms of ceremonial addresS.
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