The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-02

He has shown good powers of administra-
ton, and II urbane In manner and of hu-
mane disposition. He Is reputed by some
to be intellectually weak. He Is also. ac-
cording to the same authority. reputed to
be q fanatic and at the same time to favor
the pretensions of Russia
/ London. May Ia dispatch from Te-
heran to the Times regarding the situa-
tiou In Persia incident upon the assassina-
ton OF the shah. says: Much discon-
tAne has existed for some time. through
the dearness Of provisions. partly caused
by the excessive issue of copper coins.
Considerable alarm prevails here. and
Prince Kamran. third son Of the late
shah. has retired TO his palace at the re-
quest Of the government.
srhe aesaaniu'p name Is Nollah Rexa. and
NJ - suptsesd = - kron Babes.
An article in the Times on the late shah
calls to mind that at the beginning OF his
reign he put to death by thousands mem-
bers of the Babi sect. whose crusade
against the corruption OF the public and
private manors in Persia was 30 popular
as to become a menace to the government.
The chief apprehension that nor arises.
says the Times. Is lest the new shah's
eldest brother, Masud. should attempt to
dispute the accession.
Washington City. May L-Soon after re-
ceiving notice Of the assassination OF the
shah. Secretary Olney sent cabiesram 10
United States Minister Mcdonald, at Te-
heran, directing him to convey TO the Sec
retary Of state of Persia an expression OF
confidence felt by the president in the sad
event and of his adherence of the deed.
Nasr-ed din, shah OF Persia, was born
July 49, 1881, and was the eldest son
OF Shah Mohamrne I'd. He succeeded to the
throne at the death OF his father, Septem-
Der 10. 1s4s He was the fourth or tho
dynasty of the Kajars, which took possess
sion OF the crown after a civil war extend
ing over fifteen years. from lI7s to 1ssl
The shah Of Persia is absolute ruler with
in his dornnions. and master OF the lives
and goods of all his subjects. The whole
revenue OF the country being at their dis
posal, recent sovereigns of Persia have
been atle to amass large private for
tune. That or the recent occupant OF the
throne was reported TO amount to f3o,oo-
COO. most of IT represented by diamonds.
the largest, the Derya Nur. OF iss carats.
and the Tay | Nah. OF li6 carats. and other
precious stones, forming the crown jewels
Persia is a rich country. occupying
sos 90 square miles of territory In South
ern Asia and having s.ocG0 90 inhabitants.
1t has small military strength. and has
for Its neighbors the great military powers
of Russia, England and Turkey. That It
has been able to preserve its territory Is
due to the skill OF the shah, who has re-
pulsed the Turks by arms and KEEP. on
good terms with England and Russia
OF late years, however. Russian influence
has become dominant. and Persia is vir-
tualIy under Russian protectorate- The
shah Travelled much In Europe twenty five
years ago and irnbibed modern ideas lie
made his government more liberal, i'm
proved the army. built schools. telegraphs
and railroads and rendered the country
safe for European residents In 1852 the
shah ceded TO Russia the northeastern rim
OF the Iranian plateau. admitting the
cars troops within the impregnable
mountain buiwarks at the edge Of the pla-
team. Russian troops couli In a few months
oFerrua Persia, but such Invasion
would result in war with England. On the
other hand. England Is restrained by Rus
sia from occupying Persia.
The shah some years ago announced
10 the powers that he had appointed as
his successor TO the throne his second son,
M1zsffer-ei-din. born March Is. 1865. 10
the exclusion % hts eldest son. Massud
Mira. born January s. lssa This act was
in accordance with the Persian custom OF
making the son OF the mother Of highest
birth the heir. as the shsi's second wife
was princess. while the first was o,
lower rank. But the elder son IL the more
resoiute OF the two princes. and has never
reliuqutshed Ills right 10 the throne. A
conflict between the brpthers would take
the form q a csvil war between the north
ard south of Persia n Russia took the
part OF the northern claimant, Great Brit
ain might be tnrsslei TO take sides with
The other. and Persia he divided into two
kingdoms. dominated by the two great
rival powers
The shah was q mid ruler. aD5 heid the
affection of the people. He was fond or
dsid sports lover Of music. an artist,
and something OF a poet. and well ac-
gnzinisd with European politics HIS
sixty wives and ccsscgosaes bore him
ferry chfidren. of whom there are living
Twelve sons and seven daughter He was.
Ike the majority ct his people. dcsos1t
Noaamfnessan.
Daring the shzhs first visit to Berlin
his pessyior vas - .nfoserzbie tat the
Old KAISER withdrew from the ie5uv2lss