PERSIA’S Premier (Dr. Mossadeq) has remained safely in office as a result of a general election; but there appear to be Persians who do not take his success with elation. In the southern part of the country certain tribes have revolted and are having the usual merry game at the expense of their less unprosperous countrymen.

Troops are on the way to reinforce those normally stationed in southern Persia, but Dr. Mossadeq cannot place much reliance on them or their leaders. The Persian Army has always had an admiring and uneasy eye to the south, where military plots are almost endemic.

Army leaders there have been known to organise tribes for a revolt and they have arranged at the same time for the army to exercise a benevolent neutrality. That will take some of the complacence out of Dr. Mossadeq, for it will compel him, for the sake of his own skin and his position, to renew all his suddenly wavering hostility to Britain.

He may be expected to indulge in his usual luxury of going to bed to cry like a baby, especially if the rebels are successful for a time. But his tears will be mingled with schemes for turning the revolt to his own benefit, and he is astute at that pastime.

Of one thing he may be sure—that the tribes in revolt have no wish to restore foreign trade. South Persia is hostile to all Europeans and its revolt is directed more to getting control of the government as a first step.

Almost certainly an army leader is at the back of the rising, although he sits quietly until he sees whether the tribes or the Government will succeed. Then he will act in accordance with opportunity. He is not likely to hazard a more or less disciplined force in the early stages of a civil war.

For some days Dr. Mossadeq’s position will remain uncertain, but the wily politician may be expected to get through unscathed—that is, if the Shah does not give the revolters encouragement. He may be a little tired of a Premier who is the world’s champion weeper.