Page:The Persian Revolution of 1905-1909 (1910).djvu/26

xx properly be termed “Nationalists.” Yet having regard to prejudices existing in England, especially at the present time, the term is not altogether a happy one, and has undoubtedly done much to prejudice a considerable section of English opinion against those to whom it is applied. Most men are ruled by names rather than by ideas, and I have no doubt that many a staunch Unionist and many an Anglo-Indian or Anglo-Egyptian official has transferred to the so-called “Nationalists” of Persia all the prejudices with which this term is associated in his mind. The main point, however, on which I wish to insist is that in Persia the party which is variously termed “Nationalist,” “Constitutionalist” and “Popular” is essentially the patriotic party, which stands for progress, freedom, tolerance, and above all for national independence and “Persia for the Persians,” and that it was primarily called into existence, as will be fully set forth in the following pages, by the short-sighted, selfish and unpatriotic policy inaugurated by Náṣiru’d-Dín Sháh under the malign influence of the Amínu’s-Sulṭán, and carried still further by his grandson the ex-Sháh Muḥammad ‘Alí.

And now a few words as to this book. Not willingly or without regret have I forsaken for a while the pleasant paths of Persian literature to enter into the arid deserts of international politics. But the call was imperious and the summons urgent to neglect nothing of that little which lay in my power in order to arouse in the hearts of my countrymen some sympathy for a people who have, in my opinion, hitherto received less than they deserve. Powerful interests and prejudices have been against them, and misapprehensions as to their aims and motives have prevailed. These misapprehensions I trust that this book may serve in some measure to dispel.

There are, as I am well aware, others who could, if they would, write a much better and more authoritative account of the Persian Revolution than this, but to most of them is applicable Sa‘dí’s well-known line: