Calls On England To Rescue Persia.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 16, 1913:
Lovat Fraser Depicts the Ancient Kingdom as a "Terribly Grave Conundrum."
CANNOT CURE ILLS ALONE
If England Does Not Go In, He Says, the Turks May or Russia May Extend Her Sway.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Sunday. March 16.— Writing in this morning's Observer, Lovat Fraser sounds a warning that when the smoke of the Balkans has cleared away "the terribly grave conundrum" of European politics will be Persia. He says:
    "We have been so absorbed in the European situation that we have forgotten derelict Persia, which lists helpless but dangerous in the broad stream of international politics. Her problems can never be solved from within.
    "Whether we like it or not, the next move lies with Great Britain. The Triple Alliance concentrated to save in the case of Tripoli. The Triple Entente has already dispersed more than enough strength. It has world-wide interests to guard. Morocco. Mongolia, Persia are all sources of weakness. But here is this Persian muddle, urgent, risky, and perplexing.
    "The word lies with Great Britain. One thing is certain; we cannot let the present situation go on. Another thing is certain: Once we go in we will have to stay, for once inside of southern Persia we can no more get out than we can get out of Egypt.
    "We will sooner or later have to take the risk and go in. If not, some one else will. If not a European power, then the Turks, released from their preoccupations in the west, or Russia may say the position is intolerable, and that she will keep the older south as well as the north.
    "There are alternatives. One is to bring away the troops and Consuls, as has been seriously proposed, but in that case what will become of British prestige in Asia?"