New-York tribune., 1900-02-11

the realm, and very near to the throne, told me
that he sent his son to study in Russia be-
cause it would prove useful to him when events
should ripen, which they must in time.
AS for Russia, what viii she gain in Persia
when her dominion becomes fully developed
over that country? An acquisition of nearly
half million square miles is of Importance
empire already holding more terri
tory than any nation since the foundation OF the
world But this is no mere ordinary Naboths
vineyard on which she lays her hands. On
the contrary it is one of the choicest spots of
Asia in the right hands, and, furthermore 1t
borders the ocean, where winds and climate
are favorable. and that has ports, and
those ports are almost in hail of Indiai Verify,
the chops of the Russian bear must actually
water at the prospect of the morsel which des-
tiny has thrown within his reach while the
British lion is fighting for dear life on the AT
ricar sands.
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF PERSIA.
The topography of Persia is laid in broad and
simple lines, artist would say The north
west province of Azerbaijan is broken and
mountainous and the winters are rather severe.
But it grows almost every variety of grain and
fruits The province along the Caspian and on
the northern slope Of the Eborz range is moist
ened by the evaporation of that sea- and IN the
upper part is clothed by vast ancient forests OF
unsurpassed density and magnificence, conceal
ing the ruins of cities famed in legend, and offer
ing shelter to the tiger the boar and all manner
of game The alluval plains at the foot of these
forests on the other hand, are irrigated by nu-
merous streams and are covered with rice fields.
The architecture of that region differs some
what from that the other side of the noun
tans. because composed more of wood, while
there adobe decorated with stucco prevails
on ascending the mountain passes of the Ell
borz one looks south land so different
npth tharc
This range extends east and west across nearly
the whole of Northern Persia, separating 1t from
the Caspian provinces. 1t averages about 1900
feet in height, while one peak DemaVehu' rises
to nearly 10000 feet being the loftiest mountain
between the Himalayas and the Andes It's
snowy stands out in plain sight near rene
ran. the capital one of the most sublime objects
of the globe, the ideal volcanic peak From tIls
range Persia extends 600 miles to the Persian !
Gulf a vast tableland averaging 1900 to f,ooo
Teet above the sea above which at long intervals
rise bare, rugged and isolated ranges OF con-
siderable height. All OF this tabeland IS feeIess
except when irrigated, and there are large areas
of them nearly the extent OF NeW-horh
State, merely sand and salt
But there is any part of this taheiano
that is not capable of high culture by tapping
the numerous underground streams, the foot
hills and other sources. The climate lends itself
to almost any vegetable product The OPIUM Oh
Persia is unsurpassed. Tobacco, rice, grain, |
and all kinds OF fruits and vegetables and ad- |
mirable wines can be raised in unlimited guam |
titles The palm grows in the south. The SILK
of Persia is famous Coal, turquoise, iron and
other minerals abound. All that is needed is /
population and modern methods and inventions
of mining and agriculture and means for mar
keting these products. Russia is capable of fur
nishing all these. and will do The result
will be that under her influence Persia will be /
come probably the most valuable of her prov
inces, and thus both countries Will profit by the
~ange.
RUSSIAN TRADE RESTRICTIONS
But whether other nations will profit 10y 1t to
- degree as satisfactory themselves is open
10 question. For many years the merchant
fleets OF Russia, sail and steam, have swarmed /
the Caspian, but Persia has not been permit ,
ted to show her flag that since the I
Treaty of TurkomantchaT. 1t is also a long time /
that Russia has not allowed transit to European
goods destined ito Persia, and importers have /
been forced to bring them across the rOugher
and longer route through Turkish Armenia .
This has been decreed at St Petersburg in order
TO force Russian goods into Persia Russia has
also long acted the dog in the manger policy $ /
to railways in Persia She barred the Reuter- /
concession, and closely watched all others who
schemed to exploit a railway system in that