Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-27
REPRESENTING THE SHAH.

REPRESENTING THE SHAH.
The First Persian Minister and HI,
Missi0n.
REVIVAL OF ORIENTAL DISQUALIFICATION
RESOURCES AND rMPRovEMKNrs-NuruAI Ap-
VANTAGE OF COMMERCIAL RlI.ArIoNs WIFE
ANKRIcA-oFTERs OF YRIxNpsKP.
During the two months the Persian minister
plenipotentiary has been in this country he
has learned to speak English 90 that he can
converse in that language. He, of course,
cannot speak II Huently, - yet but, what Il
very unusual in . foreigner, he keeps within
bis limited vocabulary and avoids errors, COM
mon even among Americana There ID pecu-
liar grace In his speech that makes him Q
pleasing conversa tionalist. He appears man
Of rare intelligence and accomplishments, and
viii probably take high place in diplomatic
society. Being the first representative
Of the Persian government in this ooun-
try, there has been . curiosity among
many people TO see what this man from far.
Oh land looks and scts like. In many instances
they have permitted this curiosity to lead them
beyond the bounds Of courtesy. An add sort
Of notion that the new minister represents
ssvagery appears 70 be current They look
upon him as they might upon . barbarian, and
talk about his dress and manners without much
regard for politeness. Az q matter of fact, he
il very refined gentleman, . soldier Of the
highest rank, and scholar Of wide learning,
and is not the representative OF an uncivilized
country. In manners he differs little from
the French minister, the Spanish minister, the
German, the Russian. or the Austrian. The
dress he wears is the uniform Of the first gen.
eral of the Persian army, and there IL nothing
more peculiar about it than there 10 about the
uniform Of an American general, unless, per-
haps, 1t Is less saudy.
ApLEAsANT CALI.
A STAR reporter called to-day at the legation
residence. 1926 NJ street, and had an interesting
conversation with the minister concerning his
country and the purpose Of the Persian gov
eminent in establishing q mission here. Al
though the minister could readily make him
self understood, his vocabulary Ii necessarily
somewhat limited and for the sake Of con-
venience he was aided by his secretary who
speaks English fuently. The minister has
leased the house he resides in and the purpose
smiled when speaking Of the curious notion
some people here appeared to have about
Persia why" he said, civilization does
not end with the English language. Germans,
French, Russians and Persisns are civilized.
The earliest civilization was in Persia. Its
antiquitie. are priced by the whole world. Part
of your language comes from u.s. Father,
mother, brother, sister'-they are the same in
Persian. Some one asked me If liked music.
oh, do you like musicY the question was asked
in surprise. Why, of course, we have music.
We have all those things that are common to
civilization the world over. You have the
organ here. That instrument was invented by
Persian many years ago. You get IL from Us.
We call it .organon,' from that you get organ.
Our military bands will greet every foreign
guest with his national air.
REVIVAL OF YOUTH.
persia had its youth in antiquity, passed
into old age, and has now the revival Of youth
again, the modern, as the ancient Persians
are famed for their skillful and artistic work.
manship. For many years Persia lay indolent
in old age. The spring time Of youth came
back and the nation IL now at a progressive Pc
Rod It Is in the blossom that promises Q fine
harvest. 1t is in that state which offers the
most inducement to enterprise and commercial
activity. We have railroads, telegraph, tele-
phone, gas, and electric light. Our capital ia
larger than Washington. In the summer 1t has
population of 100000 and in winter SOC, OOO
The gas for lighting the city and the water are
paid for by the government. Great attention
is paid to educational matters, and our king,
who is man Of noble mind, has marked his
reign Of more than forty years by great strides
In progress. The government has encouraged
education and constantly broadened and ex-
tended the personal liberty Of the citi-
zens. The king IL especially DESTROYS Of
extending railroad building. The railroads we
have now may be termed merely specimens to
illustrate their advantages and to induce ma
tive capital to go into such enterprises. It il
the desire Of our living that railroad lines shall
traverse the country clear across in both direc-
tions, SO as to shorten distances and bring the
commercial points closer together. Foreign
nj has
terprises, but it is scarcely what we want that
our neighbors inst over the border should &C.
quire such powerful interests in our country
We would prefer Americans to have Interest," In
Persia. You in America do not know Whist Il ID
to have to guard against your neighbors. You
are guarded by the Atlantic ON one side and the
Pacific on the other. You are free from the
jealousies and dangers arising from close prox-
unity, like in Europe and Asia. You are indie
pendent, having not that dangerous rivalry.
Persia has a standing army Of 50O, 900 men. Un-
civilized nations do not support such armies.
WHY THE MISSION WAS ESTABLISHED.
We have diplomatic relations with nearly all
nations. We had ministers plenipotentiary at
all the great courts before We established these
relations with America. 1t was not the desire
Of Russia, Germany, Austria or England that
we should establish q mission in America The
movement was discouraged 1t is not to their
interest that We should have Independent COM
merciai relations with the United States. Our
trade is valuable, and under the present pro-
gressive regime 1t opens up great possibilities.
The purpose Of the king in sending q minister
here was to promote friendship between the
two countries and to make commercial COM
pacts to the interest Of both countries,
Your people have many things we
need, and We have things you want
that can be had only from us, directly or indi-
rectly. Your minister to Persia had encouraged
US to take this step, and we hope to open up q
mutually valuable interchange Of commerce
between the two countries. We rather Amer
lean enterprise should find profit in the de-
veiopment Of our railroads and telegraph than
that they should fall into the hands Of nations
at rivalry with us.
MUTUAL ADVANTAGE.
There are many things that ought to tend to
the development Of commerce between Persia
and the United States. In the first place there
are no antagonisms between IA. You must
have our products, and you buy them from
other people at four or FIVE prices. We want
Il