Just the other day we commented (with the shah of Iran in mind) on the rough going for modern royalty that loses touch with its people. And (as a thought for Premier Mossadegh) on the even rougher going for dictators who get too big for their britches.

Our comment was based on the information from news services that the shah was out of touch with his people, and Mossadegh wasn’t. Now it appears that the information may have been somewhat less than accurate or complete. But the point still applies that there is a lesson to be learned in Iran for any ruler, royal or not.

From what has suddenly happened over there, it now looks as if the shah had more backing from the Iranian people than the news correspondents knew about—along with some from the army, too.

But then, anyone who could separate fact from emotion in Iran would need second sight. The shah, Mossadegh, Kashani, the Tudeh party, the army — they all have appeared in different guises at different times, and do even today.

There has been unrest, violence and uncertainty in Iran for quite a while. There still is. Elements of mob rule such as [sic] put Mossadegh on top a couple of times are evident in the events which put him down again.

Things over there are in what has been called a state of flux. If this works like the flux that’s used in welding, maybe it is for the best if, when the fizzing and fuming are over, the nation can be welded together, stronger than ever.

That is the end devoutly to be wished in that land of ancient glories and modern importance in the defense of freedom. One requisite is that the man at the top, shah or premier, shall not be out of touch with his people — or with reality, which is where our interest and that of the free world lies.