We regret to notice that the British proposal for a
loan to Persia has been whittled down at the wish of Russia to a mere dole. Russia and Britain will each advance £25,000. As the Persian treasury is empty, a sum of this kind simply represents the sort of charity against which every soundly organized charitable institution sets its face. It is demoralizing to character, does not make the recipient independent, and therefore does more harm than good. Of course, a proper loan would mean proper safeguards and a really coherent policy in Persia. The proposed dole simply advertises the fact that such a policy is absent. Government in Persia scarcely exists now, and the Swedish officers who were to try to introduce order in certain districts have actually been defeated by tribesmen. If the Anglo- Russian Convention had not been in operation the end of the Persian kingdom would have come at least two years ago. Even as it is we cannot think that the end is far off. The prospect embraces very large questions which we cannot discuss now, but we fear that within the next few months we shall be compelled to face them.
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