The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-12
AFTER A PERSIAN PLUM
MIRA :. Il. NwEEYA DESIRES TO
BECOME PERSIAN MINISTER.
VIII Seek Aid of Senator Fairbanks
Desires to Increase Trade with
Persia-The Persian Customs.

Mira s. X. Nweeya, OF Urmia. Persia. is
at the English Hotel, and this morning will
call upon Senator Fairbanks to solicit the
senator's aid in an endeavor TO secure the
appointment from the Shah of Persia as
Persian minister or representative to the
United States. Mr.. Nweeya has been in the
United States seven years and speaks the
English language fuently. For the past
two years he attended the Central College
Of Physicians and Surgeons in this city to
secure a medical education.
Early last spring he left this country to
visit his old home in Persia and returned
a short time ago. He arrived in Indianap-
oils yesterday from Cincinnati. where he
attended the Y. P. S. c. z. convention.
Speaking of his intentions to a Journal
reporter last night, Mr.. Nweeya said:
II will call upon Senator Fairbanks and
lay the question Of my aspirations TO be-
come the Persian minister 10 this country
before him.. I will request him to write to
President Mckinley TO me to
the Shah of Persia as the Persian minister
to the United States. Persia has never had
a regularly appointed representative by the
Shah in this country. About six months
ago TIE Heram arrived in Washington to
assume his duties as the Persian minister.
He was attired in his native garb and when
he alighted from the train and started for
the Capitol building the people on the
street laughed at him. TIE Heram was
abashed at this reception as the people in
the streets of Persian cities salaam TO no
bility and instead of being received in such
a manner in Washington he was ridiculed.
he took the first train out Of the city and
Persia has M ranrdcnnfQffV in fhn ITnifnH
States.
KNOW LITTLE OF EACH OTHER.
There is little known in this country of
Persia and likewise little known of the
United States in Persia. Persia has a total
population of 10. 100000 people and contains
63S, 200 square miles. Persia needs the pro-
gressive methods of the United States and
also some of the modern improvements
used here. There are no railroads in Per-
STA and no improved vehicle roads. There
are no factories, as the work of making
rugs, shawls, ETC., so well known, is done
by individuals in their own homes. There
are no modern farming implements and old
plows are still used on the rich farms.
These old crooked plovs are drawn by
oxen and the work is very slow. There are
no schools for the education of the masses
and no system of education whatever.
There are three classes in Persia-nobility,
priests and paupers. There Is a system or
education for the priests. who also serve
as secretaries. There is a very poor mail
system in that country and in Urmia, my
old home, a town of $1,000 inhabitants,
there is but one mail received a week and
no delivery.
THE homes are made of mud and brick.
The chief occupation of the people is
farming and they raise sheep, cattle and
the Persian lamb. The chief industry is
the manufacture of rugs, shawls and
fine fabrics. These articles and perfumes
and raisins are imported to this country.
"The United States, / believe, can estab-
lish a large export trade with Persia as the
worsted goods, oils. machinery and other
articles manufactured in this country are
needed in Persia. Nearly every modern
system of advancement employed TO such
good advantage in the United States should
be utilized in Persia, and in case L am sue
cessful in securing an appointment from
the Shah as representative in this country,
1 will endeavor to increase the trade be-
tween the United States and Persia and
also introduce into Persia many of the GUS
4 toms of this country