File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎220r] (71/280)

Introduction.
I 'he systematic strangling of Greece by a group of powers
who allege to be guided in their actions by the desire “to
protect small nations”, and who seek by means of this catch
word to enlist the moral support of their own people and that
of other countries, is being achieved by methods which have
been found effective by the Entente powers in their long joint
practice of oppression.
The fate that England and Russia have mapped out for
Persia since 1907 affords a striking example of such methods.
All that is now being experienced by Greece and more,
Persia had to go through. Not only from Russia, whose breaches
of law and contracts in its dealings with that unhappy country
have few parallels in recent history. Infinitely more grave
is the attitude of England who, beneath the mask of the friendly
mediator and protector of the weak”, as in the case of Greece,
cautiously confers the role of executioner on an allied nation
to save the remnant of her own prestige.
The double game played by England for nearly a decade
has long deceived many an intelligent and patriotic Persian,
and gave reason to hope that the well-meaning English medi
ation so often appealed to in times of great stress would save
Persia from incessant humiliation. In England itself and not
least from the group of English members of the “Persia
Committee” criticism of British policy in Persia ma e e
leading statesmen in Downing Street very uncomforta e.
Professor Edward G. Browne, the most eloquent advocate
of the cause of Persia in England, has again and
entered the lists for a more chivalrous policy towards Persia
in his famous book “Persian Revolution” and m his
numerous other works. Indeed he often addressed h ar an
bitter words to England and Russia, whereby he touched an
soothed many a wounded Persian heart. Grey, however, w o
was responsible for the English zig-zag course in Persia, cou
afford to let this severe critic have his say. By allowing