It is not hard to sympathize with the new wielders of power in Iran as they grapple with the problem of what to do with Dr. Mossadegh. Wherever he goes, they can be sure he won’t go peaceably.

The direct solution of their problem would be to rush him through a drumhead court and execute him without further delay. But that would convert him into a martyr. The indirect solution would be to give him a fair-trial on a charge of inciting a rebellion. Since he did incite a rebellion, he could be found guilty, then either executed or imprisoned.

But that would give him a chance to faint in the courtroom and stir up sympathy. Whatever other claims he may make to fame, the doctor is the 20th century champion of the faint from a standing start.

If the Iranians newly in power think about it long enough, they may hit upon the idea of lending Dr. Mossadegh to the United States as one end of the grant-in-aid deal which shortly is going to enrich them by a couple hundred million dollars. He would be absolutely harmless here, a sought-after member of the international set in New York City and Iran would never hear of him again.