What may be the most optimist news of the Christmas week is the report from Iran (formerly Persia) that the former Premier, Mohammed Mossadegh, has been given a sentence of only three years imprisonment for his alleged attempts to overthrow the Shah. [It was actually the reverse!]

Most of the world expected that the 70 year old statesman would be condemned to death, but the Shah is said to have urged mild treatment for his recent political opponent. Persia may again reach the civilized condition it enjoyed a thousand years ago.

Consider Persian-Iran politics in terms comparable to western civilization. Suppose Churchill had ordered Attlee to trial for opposing him; or President Eisenhower’s party in Congress had sentenced Truman or Stevenson to death or three years imprisonment. [Winston Churchill vs Clement Attlee; Dwight D. Eisenhower vs. Harry Truman or Adlai Stevenson]

There is no reason why Persian-Iranian governments should persecute defeated candidates for office, any more than England, France or the United States does. Yet Mossadegh, a fighting old fellow, was put on trial and it was expected he would face the bow and arrow squad. Iran once was the most civilized nation in the world. Maybe it is returning to its old status that is now enjoyed by the junior countries of the West.

CHESTER A. MADISON
San Francisco