New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-10
THE T. s. MINISTER TO PERSIA.

Sir: 1t has been quietly known IN private circles
that during the past seven eight months there mas
been a thoroughly organized propaganda to promote
the retention of the present incumbent of the post OF
United States Minister Persia. This is well enough;
an ofce.seeker, especially 10 his record Is good, is
entitled TO employ every lawful means to obtain or
retain Office. But when Mr.. Covington In to-days
Issue Of The Tribune makes this movement public, and
In connection with It makes certain positive stao-
ments, he gives the public and the Republican party
a right to question and reply In a manner quito as
open, especially when he implies that the present
Democratic incumbent has been exceptionally success
full This is point whcA assumes importance In view
Of the fact that number Of diplomatic officials
have been removed by this Administration who were
| men OF such ability that only political reasons could
| be raised IN favor Of their removal The present
| incumbent OF Teheran has not even the glorious
privilege of being Mugwump. He IS Democrat OF
| the Democrats. Wherein has he been exceptionally
| successful? AS Mr.. Winston in Persia
only a few months. and as practically
| there has been only Minister TO Persia
before Mr.. Pratt, viz, the undersigned, who estab-
shed the mission under considerable difficulties and
with satisfaction both to Mr. Frcllnghuysen and to
Mr. Bayard Judging from the confidence displayed by
| EACH the emphasis laid on Mr.. Pratt's success in
Persia seems to suggest an invldlous comparison to
the prejudice of his predecessor in that office. have
naturally preferred to have but little reference made
TO my official life in Persia, as 1t in sense con-
| hdential and purely matter of business with the
| Department. But 1t now seems expedent in self
justice TO state that the courtesy, attentions and
kindness exhibited by Nasred Deem Shah and his court
TO myself and family were in every respect marked
| as those stated to have been shown to Mr. Pratt
being altogether unusual and such to arouse COM
| ment in Teheran at the time. Furthermore those
very Americans in Persia who, according to Mr.. Cow
| ngton, are now represented as working for the
enton Of Mr. Pratt, not only spontaneously officially
| and
for his efforts IN their behalf and in behalf Of our
National interests, both before and after the election
of Mr. Cleveland, but learning Of my recall by Mr..
| Cleveland Immediately telegraphed and wrote to Mr..
Bayard earnestly urging retention essential 70
American interests in Persia. These statements can
| be verified by documents in my possession and on
| file at Washington.
| So much for the alleged exceptional attention be-
slowed on Mr. Pratt and the efforts now making
| for the retention Of Democrat in of
| fee. Let him DO retained, but If so,
why remove any good Democratic diplomat :
It is proper TO add in simple justice TO myself that
the concessions offered to Messrs. Winston and
Pratt were also at my disposal and were, In some
cases, declined because circumstances did not at the
| time seem 10 warrant advising our citizens to In
vest their capital in them. The recent concession
for artesian wells obtained for American in Persia
whom the writer has repeatedly befrended to HIS cost
was fTst suggested by to the Minister of Foreign
|
| for tho change Of Administration at Washington.
While the writer at Teheran the United states
Legation failed in nothing Of importance requested Of
| the Persian Government, not TO speak, among other
matters Of the successful issue Of land case between
! an American and Russian which had been pending
nine years, and which established precedent in the
| government of such transactions in Persia. The
writer was also able establish, by his influence the
first two houses trading directly with the United
States. Of which one Is now in active relations win
| one Of the most important exporting commission
| houses in New-YOrk.
| Before concluding It may be added that can easily
understand the sentiments of the Persian Minister az
Washington concerning the tone of the press toward
the shah. from the fact that when Mr. Cleveland was
elected l. although Republican, felt called upon 10
| request correction of some statements whlch
| appeared in the Persian official gazette. such was
my opinion OF the high dgnity Of the Presidential
would have in Persia that made immediate efforts TO
| have the matter corrected. Finding the Foreign
Office datory and Indifferent carried the mater pc
| fore the Shah in special audience with his usual
amiabty he expressed regret at the occurrence, ana
IN nv presence emphatcally ordered the desired cor
rccton 10 made I'm the next issue Of the gazette
was requested prepare satisfactory count OF MI
Cleveland. and the translation was submitted To nc
before /; went press. The Department never mahe
any acknowledgment Of this action.
| In closing allow me 10 state that. certain lhhT-
cstsd parties the contrary notwiths landing, INC
post at Teherau not snecure 10 any official who Is
anxious 10 work well draw his salary the eighty
commercial interests involved. afford abundant reason
for the continuance Of the United states legailon IN
Persia Respec fully yours, ). G. W. BENJAMIN
| New-YOrk, July o. 1eo0.