BRITAIN’S action in taking the Persian oil dispute to the United Nations Security Council for urgent attention has averted, temporarily at least, an explosive situation in what at present is patently a highly dangerous corner of the world.

FOLLOWING a succession of ineffective talks and negotiations the matter was brought to a climax by the utterly rash threat by Persia to banish all British oil technicians from the country this week.

IF the threat is fulfilled it will complete the object of the Mossadeq-led Nationalist move for the complete nationalisation of the oil industry in the country, action on which to date has been pursued with almost reckless abandon regardless of its international repercussions.

BRITAIN is morally bound to protect the lives and interests of her oil technicians facing expulsion in Persia. The tension, which suggestions of armed intervention against any possible landing of British troops for this purpose has aroused, is sufficient to support the priority for the matter which Britain has asked of the Security Council.

MAIN danger stems from the fact that Persia is a neighbor — with oil deposits — on Russia’s southern borders. Internal disorganisation which could too easily develop from the present situation would provide a made-to-measure excuse for Red intervention and “protection.”

CONSIDERING the nationalisation measure in the Persian Parliament represents a serious breach of the 1933 Concession Agreement negotiated, ironically enough, through the Council of the League of Nations, the British Government’s co-operation with Persia towards nationalisation has been considerable.

IN view of the dangerous implications of Persia’s persistently highhanded attitude on the issue the Security Council could achieve a real purpose in bringing home to Persia a proper sense of its international responsibilities.