File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎220v] (72/280)

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these apostles of a higher level of British humanity to appeal,
in the full glare of publicity, to the British sense of justice,
like any Hyde Park orator, a safety valve was provided for
public indignation, which, by the way, never went beyond
the limits of good breeding, and thus absolution was obtained
for troubled consciences. In order to put the whole response *
bility for the dismemberment of Persia on Russia, and
represent their own conduct as a case of “dira necessitas”,
the whole correspondence relating to Persian affairs between
ministers and the diplomatic agents since December 1906 was
published in Blue Books of quite unusual dimensions. The
history of Young Persia is described in these volumes almost
without a gap. A government which had so little to fear from
the light of publicity as to directly invite investigation of its
acts blunted the arrows of its most persistent aggressors.
At first sight such means of defence appear most effective
and successful, but upon closer investigation, none are deceiv
ed as to the unparalleled guilt of England regarding the tra
gic and unmerited fate of Persia save the ignorant, the casual
and prejudiced portion of the general public. For the
letters and telegrams of these very Blue Books, although
intended as pleadings for the defence, are, if read with care,
inculpating material and documentary evidence of breach of
agreements, such as a nation has hardly ever confessed to
more openly or, shall we say, more shamelessly. The United
States of America, lately so ready to watch for every alleged
offence against the rights of nations, raised no word of protest
at the time.
Nor is this the whole of the incriminating material. As the
contents of the Blue Books approach the times of the greatest
breach of agreements, during those years when Persia saw
herself a prey to a real policy of strangling from two sides, the
remark preceding the telegrams: “conveys the substance of the
following despatch” becomes more frequent. The impression
thus created as if much were suppressed, is intensified by the
fact that reference is made in these telegrams and despatches
of English diplomatists to documents which, although dated,
are looked for in vain under these dates in the Blue Books.
The most striking, though by no means the only example of
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