The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-03
Believed to Have Instigated
the Persian Assassin.
A TRAITOR TO HIS FATHER.
Eight Years Ago He Was Called
Down for characterization.
Grievance OF the Rahist Sect Against
the Late shah Nasr csi-tlin q Kind
Hearted Man, Much Moro Pro-
grceHive Than His Country.


Copyrighted by the Associated Press.
London. May Alt Is rumored in this
city that the assassination OF the shah
OF Persia was brought about by the ma
chinsticns of his eldest son, Masud. gov
crnor OF IsTahan, The latter WAS born in
1850. while the new shah. the second son
Of the deceased monarch, was born in iSss.
but the latter. being the offspring of a
Sife of higher rank. was thus chosen to
succeed mis- father in place of Masad. his
elder brother. He had often rebuked
Masud for his nnruliness. and In 1SSs re-
called him and allowed him 10 return to
ispaban only after disbanding some OF the
regiments and ordering him TO pay moro
than the usual tribute. Masad. who Is
also known as the .ilcs- Sultan. or shadow
OF the kingdom, resented this treatment.
and II was believed that he might make
an attcnpt TO usurp the throne.
Masud. who is enormously rich. is un-
popular on account OF his severity and IN
tolerance. and on the other hand Muzafer
ed-din. the new shah. is much loved by
the people OF the province of Axerboijan.
where the Persian army is chiefly re-
cruited.
The discomfort OF the Babist sect. upon
which Masud is believed to have worked. is
due TO the fact that the late shah old not
allow them to establish their religion. his
refusal to do so being based on represen-
tations made to him that II would con-
fict with the existing faith in. Persia and
split the people into religious factions. The
Babists have always been kept in check,
and little has been heard OF them for some
years past.
Tifiis, May 2.-Immediately after the
death OF the shah the heir apparent, che
valiant Muzafer ea-din. was proclaimed
shah. Russia and Great Britain recog-
nized Muzstfer ed-din as heir to the Per-
al or fhygs la r..4.
Will govern untii the S.>ival OF the new
shah AT Teheran from Tabrix.
Chicago, May 2.-Frederick II. Winston.
who spent the year 1896 at Teheran as
United States minister to Persia. speaks In
terms OF admiration for the murdered mon-
arch. The death OF the shah is to be de-
plored.' Mr.. Winston said. "He was a
kind-hearted. very intelligent man. and
nled with progressive ideas that would
have benefited his country immensely had
he been permitted TO carry them out. He
ascended the throne when a boy. with linn
tted education in mathematics and Persian
literature gained in the native schools, ana
possessed of the crude and barbaric notions
gained from lack OF contact with civiiixa-
ton. II being an unwritten law in Persia
that the heir apparent shah not live In tho
capital city. After taking the throne his
character changed. and he developed into a
civilized ruler. anxious to improve his
country" Mr.. Winston described him as
very exclusive IN his family life, always
dining alone, and never aeviating from the
customs Of his country in the management
of his household. The shah's ruling pas
sion was hunting. To crafty his love for
!. this form OF sport the shah maintained
large game preserves. which he visited
every summer.
Speaking OF the question OF succession to
the vacant throne. Mr.. Winston expressed
the belief that revolution was among the
possibilities for Persia The Oldest son Is
not the heir apparent. owing to the fact
that his mother was not Of the royal blood.
This son Is about 45 years old, and very
popular among the army officers. He is
highly educated, a man of boundless am
bit.on and great energy. and is imbued
thoroughly with progressive spirit as his
father was. For years he has been a closa
observer OF foreign affairs and has special
agents all over the world TO keep him
posted. Not knowing the circumstances
under which the assassination took place, I
am not justified perhaps. in predicting any
trouble Of revolutionary character but
l cannot help but apprehend something OF
the kind when remember the Oldest sons
characteristics. II he chooses TO move on
the capital with an army behind him he
could reach there a week before the heir
apparent could reach tho city,
New York. May A special TO the
World from Teheran says: Muzafer ed
din. the crown prince. has been pro-
ciaimer shah in succession TO his father,
who was assassinsted yesterday. The
proclamation was issued at Tabriz. where
Muzafer ed-din is governor. The new
shah telegraphs that he will hasten 10 this
city. t7le capital of Persia The body OF
the late shah Is lying IN the palace. The
burial will take place in the sacred shrine
ar koom. This city Is in mourning.
Preparations were making for a jubilee.
The decorations are being dismantled.