28 September 1925 Jarolimek gave a lecture to the German-Persian Society in Berlin, putting civil aviation in Persia into its historical and political perspective: “Persia is today a military state ruled by a number of energetic and highly educated politicians and generals with Prime Minister Reza Khan as head of its government. The military power which these men have succeeded in obtaining has above all helped to strengthen the government and consequently the whole state also. Whilst Persia was, up to the war, only a pawn in the game of European politics, its consolidation now permits of independent policy in spite of its exposed situation which in many ways resembles that of Germany. “Since August of last year, when the American Consul at Teheran was murdered, Persia had been under martial law which enabled the government to carry out its administrative measures. A large number of foreigners are employed in the Persian government service, and they have helped much towards making its work successful. Chiefly the American financial controllers, appointed by the Persian government, have carried out their task in a proper manner and at the same time they have succeeded in keeping the Persian currency stable, which today is one of the best in the world, and also to work their policy of taxation in such a manner that they hope to be able, in the near future, to balance Persia's budget and even to attain a surplus without burdening the tax-payers too heavily. “The modern means of conveyance and the modern equipment of the army have helped a great deal towards the achievement of this success. The troops possess aeroplanes with German and Russian pilots, a large number of motor cars, and wireless stations are being erected. All this serves to acquaint the population with these modern improvements. The aeroplanes in particular have made it possible for the first time in Persian history to convey troops as well as their leaders with unheard of rapidity to places where the danger was greatest and their presence urgently required. “Reza Khan always travels accompanied by German aeroplanes which were responsible for his success in the suppression of the revolt of the Lurs and enabled him to hoist the Persian flag again in the south-western oil district. Now that the Sheik of Mohamera, whose relations with England are well known, together with his family, has been imprisoned in Teheran, which success means not only an important gain of prestige for the Persian government, but at the same time an extraordinary loss of prestige for England, the above mentioned district may rightly be considered as absolutely pacified. However, this loss of prestige is not considerable enough to prevent England from pursuing with tenacity its own policy in other districts. “This year a revolt of the Turkomans was suppressed in a comparatively short time by the help of the aeroplanes and it is certain that the government, aided by such modern means will, in future, be able to settle all political riots quickly. It is true that these revolts greatly delayed the execution of the new leaders' plans. Nevertheless, they have been very successful, particularly in educational and sanitary matters and in the development of traffic. Besides this a great change has taken place in Persia with regard to the towns which are being improved by many new buildings, electric lighting, and even the building of electric tramways is being considered. “As far as Persia's relation to foreign countries is concerned, its geographical situation must always be taken into consideration. Persia is forced to pay great regard to its neighbours - the Russians and the British - because of its long frontiers and the British interests in the Persian oil district. It stands to reason that the maintenance of normal and friendly relations is often very difficult, and it is wonderful how the Persian politicians have succeeded in avoiding all conflicts. The influence of other nations is of no great importance, but the fact must not be overlooked that France has an unmistakable influence on Persian civilisation owing to the French language being widely used in Persia. “The Germans are very much liked and many of them are employed in Government service, in the Ministry of War, in the Aeronautical and many other departments. Only lately a German expert has been engaged by the Ministry of Labour, and the engagement of a German mining engineer is to follow shortly. The German school has been reopened after having been closed for many years, and a
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