The Anglo-Persian Dispute The Anglo-Persian settlement is at any rate
better than a continuance Of the dispute. The new arrange- ment, to judge from the unofficial particulars so far published, is a good deal more favourable to the Persian Government than the old, and the criticism might not unreasonably be made that Persia by her high-handedness in denouncing a perfectly valid agreement has secured considerable advantages for herself. In particular she holds available for disposal to any company or syndicate she may choose a large potential oil-producing area, since the Anglo-Persian's area is drastically reduced and its monopoly of pipe-lines ended. The Company, in which the British Government holds a majority of the ordinary shares, no doubt took the view of a litigant who decides it will pay him better to settle than to fight. The question, it will be recalled, came before the League Council in January and, thanks to the con- ciliatory offices of Dr. Benes, the matter was adjourned till May in the hope of direct negotiations between the parties resulting in an agreement before then. It is to be assumed that an agreement will, in fact, be reported when the Council meets at the end of this month.
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