The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-11
OUR TRADE WITH PERSIA.
n Tribute to the Persians-Their Thrift and
Character and Their Country.

New York World.
Mr. S. G. W. benjamin, United States minis
ter to Persia. arrived in this city yesterday
morning on the steamer Wyoming from Liver
pool 1t Is more than two years since he has
been on American SOIL and he said he was glad
to be at home again To World reporter, who
found him at the Everett House. Mr.. Benjamin
said that the political situation in the East is so
delicate just now that he cannot speak freely
concerning it. THE struggle now going on
between England and Russia" he continued, lis
very interesting, but of course the United States
government takes no part in deciding which of
the two great powers shall obtain the supremacy
IN Asia. Germany, 1t is true, has a legation at
Teheran, but merely as interested observers. At
the same time they guard the commercial inter
ests of their country. just as the legations OF
Turkey, France, Austria and the United States
look after their own.
'Teheran is one of the most interesting cities
OF the East, not only on account Of ITO antiquity
but because its greater part is of com paratlvelv
recent growth. 1t has more thrift thar. any city
have seen east Of Smyrna. Within the last
thirty years its population has increased from
SO. 600 to over 900, and thousands of valuable
buildings have been erected. The new portions
OF Teheran are on par with most European
cities so far as broad, clean and wellventilated
streets concerned The Shah is, in my opin-
ion, fully determined to govern his kingdom in
the best manner possible under its existing laws
and the thirty eight years of his reign have been
period Of substantial improvement for Persia
The great mistake that most European travellers
make is in at once comparing Persia with their
own country.
Those who have formed their impressions
from limited observations speak of Persia as a
desolate country, but they have not really seen
Persia. The greater part of it lies on plateau
from four thousand to five thousand feet above
the sea. When one arrives at Resent, on the
Caspian sea, and ascends the wild and lofty
mountain passes of Ell Borz, which tower ID 900
feet above the sea, he is not prepared to find the
fnrf1ln ,NIaS 1ynh1 ~ 49,
Teheran is about ten miles from Ell Borz. Most
OF its houses are one-story structures OF sun
baked brick covered with coats of plaster of
Paris wrought in beautiful designs; for it must
be remembered that the Persians are nation
of architects. There many large buildings
which show wealth of architectural develop
ment and prove that the people who taught the
Moors how to build the wonderful Alhambra
have not lost their skill. Waters brought from
the mountains by a system Of thirty five under
ground aoueducts, which, while not so imposing
n appearance as the ancient Roman structures,
still have cost great deal more to build. The
introduction OF irrigation in the vicinity has in
creased the growth of vegetation to such eX-
teht as to greatly modify the severity of the
warm summer weather The climate, while
very warm, is quite salubrious on account of its
dryness.
1.-THE idea that the Persians are a degenerate
race is great mistake. 1t is not true that they,
as nation, are in the last stages of corruption
and financial poverty. They are no worse now
than they were |, 800 years ago, so it is easily
seen that there has been no degeneration. They
have vices, it is true but they are as bright and
intellectual people as they ever were. AS to
finances, the fact that Persia has no national
debt is great point in her favor Then the
climate is so mild that men need but little to
keep them, and the purchasing power of money
is almost threefold what it is in Europe or
America. There is no mendicancy, and but few
complaints of poverty. Nearly every man man
ages to accumulate little money Notwith
standing the supposed financial straits of the
kingdom, there are many wealthy people who
spend great sums on foreign imports One man
recently erected house in Teheran at a cost of
81, 300, 900; still he is reputed poor and to be
always in debt The PerSians. more so than any
other Oriental race, are glad to go forward in
modern civilization. The chief obstacle to their
progress is the Mohammedan priesthood, who
also administer the laws, which are all founded
on the Koran They know that the introduction
OF European laws and customs means the end of
their power. and they bitterly opposed TO it.
Progress must be gradual; abrupt, radical
changes in such an old monarchy would be as
disastrous as trying to violently transplant an
old deep-rooted tree.
"a system of good roads would help Persia far
forward In civilization, and the lack Of them
keeps much OF her products from being exported.
In territory twice the size of France she has
population Of only 9,000 900. The Persians raise
the best silk and opium in the world, and there
is great deal Of wheat and tobacco produced in
the interior. There is a vast amount of most eX-
cellent bltuminouS coal in the southwest and
there are large quantities of iron. If these were
developed Persia would be no mean rival to
England in these products Many other valuable
commodities could be obtained by Americans en-
terprising enough to invest their capital in a
country SO remote The opportunities there for
American commerce are excellent if our manu-
tacturers and exporters will show a little
pluck. The establishment of an American
legation at Teheran has had a beneficial effect
Persians express much interest in the United
States and are disposed to trade with our people.
At least $3.50, 600 worth Of our cotton fabrics 90
there now through European firms and other
American goods are sent there in the same way
On the other hand, we receive MANY of their
products through London firms. This should
not be. We ought to deal directly with them.
and l trust that the day is not far distant when
this will be the case. Beyond any other people
the Persians judge from external appearances
Having but limited knowledge of European
nations, they are accustomed to estimate their
power by the extent of the display they make as
we'll as the extent of their assumptions. 1t for
this reason that the English and the Russian
governments. whose interests are of very great
Importance In Persia. have always maintained
lavish establishments for their legations at Te-
heran. 1t may be supposed that, if elsewhere
these can be dispensed with, the same could be
done in Persia. But we have to take people as
we find them if we wish to influence them and
before would sway their action or transform
'h0AA "A"C'0i We IIuoo ooSiA W d certain de-
gree by adapting ourselves to their wavs of
thought Considering the commercial advau-
tages to be gained, the protection comparatively
demanded by our citizens resident in Persia and
possessing property there, and the fact that
however we may will it otherwise we cannot
avoid growing contact of our interests with
those of other nations, the wisdom of the govern
ment in establishing United States legation in
Persia is obvious"
How to Pronounce Depot.
Lancaster Examiner.