New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-10
THE SHAH OF PERSIA.
HIS soJoURN IN ENGLAND.

fyRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
LONDON, June 2s-Whether the Shahs visit has
not more important object than to advertise
Reuters Persian Company is question on which a
good many people seem to be In doubt. There ~ nc
reason why it may not have two objects OF six OF
why the Shah should not, after ALL have more plans
In his head than he thinks it necessary to conde to
his European lessee. The Spectator, which knows
more about Oriental matters than most English
journals, takes the matter seriously. 1t asks, Has
any political business been done not and gives
this answer:
We cannot help suspecting that there has that lhe
long interview the first day between Lord GranNie
ratified probably at Simlah which was very so1 MI" tbi
Berlin, whence II elected the curious telegram tnaS
s mae T speedy at ST. PetersbErg whence issued
Ordre Jour the press TO BLACKBOARD Britain
What then is the contract or promise Nothing
less according to The Spectator, than an alliance
with Great Britain, the essential terms of which
must be q guarantee by Great Britain Of Persian
independence, and an agreement by the Shah to
Tseist Russian encroachments and especially to JON
England in protesting against the permanent occu-
nation Of Khiva The Spectator thinks the help of
the Shah in this latter point would be very valu-
able; that he knows the way there, has men and
samels still retains his Central-Asian repu-
taticn, and with little money, few bat
teries of English artillery 5000 Europeans
and a British General, could make the holding
of Khiva by the Russians an mnpOsSbility. His
position is strategic. Neither westward upon
Turkey nor eastward upon Agahanistan,
could the Gar move step with Lord Northbrook
standing around at Teheran. Marshal MacMahon
might as well attack Belgium with Won Moltke in
full strength at Metz" Only Lord NOrthbrook IS
not precisely Won Moltke, l suppose. Otherwise,
the comparison is not bad one. This, IL is admitted
would involve protectorate of Persia but to that
The Spectator has no objection as it has been main
tanning for the last ten years that if Russia intends
TO attack Persia the choice of England lies between
q protectOrate and annexation. The reason is that
the Shah cannot defend himself, and if Persia
becomes Russian India cannot be held in security by
England-which is tolerably clear. I'VE waste
words" exclaims this energetic wTiters " in trying
TO prove a fact that TO Anglo-Indians seems as
absolute a verify as that a strict alliance
between Paris and st. Petersburg would be disa-
grecable to Berlin. The two hands, once joined,
squeeze all between, and if Calcutta and Teheran
act together Khiva, or BOkhara, OF Afghanistan
becomes about as important in the great Asiatic
strife as 80 many Swiss cantOns in European war"
From this point of view, the alliance becomes
naturally grand diplomatic stroke" Unhappily,
the whole discussion is speculative. Nobody knows,
1T least no journalist knows, whether any such
alliance has been agreed upon. That il is feared by
Russia may be taken for granted, and its mere fear
Of il would account for the articles IN the Russian
journals which excite so much attention i'll England
We shall not be kept long in suspense, flor 1t will
not be possible for English Government to make
such an alliance and withhold the knowledge of 1t
either from Parliament, from the Press, or from
jealous and watchful enemies in st. Petersburg.
give what The Spectator about it as being more
nv NJ 4 have
OF heard elsewhere.
noted diner-Out complained the other day that
the Shah had spoiled society-that there was no
longer any conversation which meant that people
would no longer listen TO Mr. HIS stories and bon
nots, whereof he has plentiful stock. But on the
other hand. His Persian Majesty has supplied good
many new ones and has given occasion for the in
ventiOn of some others which are not less amusing
because manufactured. Perhaps they are more so.
And as they are the one remaining staple of con-
Yersation, they go increasing in marvel
BUSINESS. The anecdote of which you heard
bare outline on Monday is repeated to
you on Wednesday with fresh particulars
If still more surprising kind. / have mentioned
before the pleasing story that our present visitor is
not the real Shah. This, when first suggested was
thought brilliant stroke of fancy 1t is now en-
beIhsbed by adding that the substitute is not, as
iect accused Of numbering his brother and sent TO
undergo this European reception as a penance. l
saw in a French paper the other day yeracious
account Of the Shahs arrival at the railway station
IN London. According to this authority, one Of the
gold-laced fuukeys of Buckingham Palace was near
the door as the Shah's carriage stopped. The spen
dor of the livery beguiled the Shah into the belief
that he must be person of great rank waiting TO
receive him. so he stretched forth his hand and
shook the funkey's cordially. 1t may be open 10
question whether the Shah mstook the fiunkey for
one of the Royal Household, or whether the witness
of the scene mistOok one of the Royal Household
for a turnkey. It is wholly question Of dress, and
the ROYAL liveries are considerably more gorgeous
than the Royal uniforms.
Nothing seems TO have struck the Shah more than
the soft and brilliant verdure of England, in which,
indeed this country is without rival anywhere.
He found the turf beneath his windows at Bucking-
ham Palace so much TO his liking that he forthwith
caused message to be sent to the Queen, requesting
that il should be reserved exclusively for his own
use and thatnobOdy else should be allowed to walk
on II. Thereafter he was observed pacing up and
down on it, deghting in its color and its velvet sur
face beneath his foot ;"caressing II as ne walked"
was the phrase of one who saw him. He declared
there was nothing like il in Persia which is doubt
less true / hope somebody repeated t. him the
English maxim that it takes three generations to
make gentleman. but three hundred years 10 pro-
dnce perfect sward.
Next 10 the grass and trees, perhaps before the
women Of England have had the honor 10 interest
the SHAH Regarding them naturally from the On
entail point Of view His Majesty has made number
Of remarks which will scarcely bear repe-
tiuon IN print The prevailing fashion of
dress has gwen him abundant opportunity
10 compare their attractions with those
of his Own harem For three he is reported TO have
offered $4,000 with the option Of canceling the
bargain and returning to England if after fair
trial they dsliked Persia. One of the three told me
-. s,,.I NOD 70 q