THE bloodless revolution in Egypt and the restoration of Dr. Mossadeq to the Premiership of Persia are two of the most disturbing political developments the free world has faced since the Russian blockade of Berlin.

In every Middle East State, he who controls the Army controls the nation. And in Egypt, it is the Army which has taken over — although the Cabinet maintains the formal pretence of being in charge by its acceptance of the Army’s demands.

As circumstances are likely to undergo drastic changes at very short notice, it is difficult to foresee what will emerge from the coup d’etat in Egypt. One thing is certain. King Farouk’s position has not been strengthened, although the anti-British elements in the Parliament are reported to be trying to flee the country.

Those who seek to find some benefit for the West in the sudden developments in the Land of the Pharoahs find little consolation in the fact that the army officer in charge of the revolution is the man whom Farouk refused a place in the last Government, thus bringing about the resignation of the Premier.

Nor is there any consolation in the realisation, that fighting, is reported to have broken out within the Army, hitherto regarded as strongly pro-Farouk. Despite the rigid censorship which has been imposed throughout Egypt, news has filtered through of clashes, between factions within the Army for and against the King.

The overthrow, virtually by mob action, of the conservative Ghavam as Prime Minister of Persia is equally disturbing. [Ahmad Ghavam] Ghavam, several times Prime Minister at times when Persia’s very existence was threatened in the face of Soviet pressure, has been ousted. Indeed, he is now in hiding with the threat of trial should he be found by fanatical National Front deputies. Mob rioting, not the ballot box, has resulted in the return to the Premiership of Mossadeq after he had been dismissed by the Shah because of dictatorial demands.

But Mossadeq is now back in command. Bowing before the storm, the young, enlightened Shah has given him the powers he demanded before, including control of the Army. Now Mossadeq can defy anyone in Persia. As in Egypt, he who controls the Army, controls the country.

The West cannot regard these developments with anything but the deepest concern. And those who might still think, despite all the evidence to the contrary which has accumulated in the past, that uprisings such as in Persia are spontaneous expressions of public nationalism, should ponder this fact. For days past, Russian radio stations (and Russia is the northern neighbour of Persia) have been inciting the Persian people to still greater violence — even revolution against the Shah. Thus do the Russians make public in Persia the policy of hate which has characterised their actions in countries such as Burma, Indo-China, Malaya, Philippines and others seeking a greater measure of self-government.