The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-17
PERSIA is ADVANCING
BECOMING ONE OF THE ENLIGHT.
ENED COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.
Agent Of the Shah Now i'm America Ex-
aiming Trolley Lines-Tehe-
ran to Have One.

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-THE Shah Of Per-
STA has had an agent in this country for a
fortnight examining the electric trolley
systems of Greater New York preparatory
TO introducing electric travel between
Teheran and a port on the Caspian sea.
These ninety-three miles of trolley will be
the longest electric railway in Asia.
The Shah's agent, John Marsden Ward,
an Englishman, has been for more than
fifteen years attached to the personal serv-
ice of the Shall and has resided at Teheran.
Frequent trips to Europe have kept him in
touch with the progress of invention and
art. He was a protege of B. b. Hotchkiss.
the American inventor, and has introduced
into the Shah's capital the telephone and
other modern appliances. Since his arrival
he has been Investigating the trolley sys-
TENS in this city, the Brooklyn Rapid Tran
sit and Metropolitan having furnished him
every facility. Mr.. Ward was found at the
Socor shipyard at Bay Ridge, whittier he
had gone to give an order for a launch for
the Shah's use at his winter residence on
the Persian gulf near Busra, the Bussora
of old 'Sinbad the Sailor"
at go to Philadelphia next week" he said,
ito visit the Baldwin locomotive works
with a view to making a report on engines
| for use on the new railroad between Tehe-
ran and the Persian gulf. One and posi-
bly, a second line Of railway will be pushed
| through to the gulf with all possible haste.
| The roads will be built largely by Russian
capital and Russian engineers.
1.-The general impression about Persia is
| tina 1t is a land of de~speradoes. Nothing
| could be further from the truth. Persia
| is not a bad country to live in. 1 have a
| house at Teheran that has the most COM
| plete sanitary fittings. 1t contains a
| porcelain bath purchased In Vienna. II Is
lighted with electricity, and a telephone
connects it with the palace and the various
offices L visit. There are many handsome
cabs in Teheran and l generally drive in
one. Most Americans and Europeans think
we ride camels and camp out, but We don't.
81 do not wish to discuss his Majesty's
| affairs. My relations with his Majesty are
| purely business ones. l have nothing TO
do with the policy Of the government
| toward Russia or Great Britain. Not the
| slightest attempt has ever been made to
| interfere with my religious views. / am a
member Of the English church and serve
| God in my own way.
9Th Shah is a very intelligent ruler. His
| Majesty has been thrice in Europe, and on
this occasion he has devoted much time to
| examining novelties at the Paris exposition.
| The papers say he has bought several auto
mobiles. Doubtless that is true. But his
| Majesty has had a French gasoline motor
II I'll Ao6 VI AoA - - a
w%ell-known object on the drives around
Teheran. / I'm looking over the automobile
| ground here and may buy one or more If a
decided novelty is discovered. Ten years
| from now Persia will be abreast of the ma
tions of Europe in everything but the fine
arts.
! 9TH great conflict in China may delay
| Russia's advance upon India, but the day
| for that move is practically fixed. Russia
can occupy Herat any day she wishes. 1t
is the gateway to India. Persia owes much
to Russia. The Car has not attempted in
any way to dominate affairs at Teheran.
| Russia is doing more for the rest of the
| world than is any other one nation"
Mr.. Ward will make a hurried trip to
| Chicago and will then sail for Paris to ac-
| company the Shah on his return TO Tehe-
ran. A small steamer has been chartered
! at Hull. England, that will proceed TO
| Havre and load all the merchandise and in
ventions that nave been purchased here
and in Europe. The steamer will clear for
the Black sea and the goods will be for
warded over the Transcaucasian Railway
l to Baku. This is the most direct route to
Teheran at present, but when the rail-
roaos across Persia are finished the Per-
sian gulf will again become one of the ia
miliar parts of the world to shipmasters.
American breadstuffs will there find a
great market in the future, In Mr.. Wards
4 opininn