The sun., 1903-03-08
GEN. ISAAC KHAN.S MISSION.
Perssan Minister Says He Came to Develop
RelAc1ens - PrtSo<ashAp ana Comneroo.

Persian Minister says He Came to Develop
Resarasos - PrissashAp sna Csmneres.
WASHINGTON, March 7.--Cen. Isaac Khan
the Persian Minister, has LETT Warrington
Tor the City OF Mexico. where he will re.
main for several weeks. After his mission
is accomplished In Mexico, the Minister viii
return here before sailing for the Argentine
Republic and Brazil.
Minister Khan b an accomplished man
Of the world. He has abandoned the
Oriental style Of dress and wears European
clothes, except at official receptions, when
his fine figure h clad In the court dress
prescribed by the Foreign Office At Teheran.
which is heavy with gold embroidery.
and his breast is covered with medals and
decorations received for distinguished
services. both civil and military.
He speaks French. Russian. Turkish and
Arabic Auently and is we'll informed re-
garding universal history and an authority
on diplomatic questions Of every period
Regarding his mission to this country, he
said:
course. TO do what could to develop the
relations, both of friendship and OF COM
merce, between my country and the United
otdttt. lHtrS TtldtlOUb hI6 nOW HOct
harmonious. Aside from my diplomatic
duties, have been anxious TO familiarizc
myself with what is best In your civilisa-
tion; the way your people live. your In
ventions, the applications Of electricity
and the modern appliances OF every sort.
My countrymen are not hostile to new
ideas, but will welcome what Ia for their
improvement. ! came here to find out
what are their greatest needs.
Speaking Of the Persian capital. Minister
Khan said:
-Teheran, you may be surprised TO hear.
has telephones. telegraphs and tramways.
while there are plenty OF railways all over
the country. The telegraphs and phones
are owned by the Government, but the
railways by private corporations.
Contrary to the impression which pre-
walls In America. our people. at least those
OF the highest rank, wear European dress,
the ladies' and gentlemen each appearing
in the garb used on the streets here. The
lower classes still cling to the old pic-
30 independent as those OF America, are
rapidly adopting your customs, and are
no longer 80 strictly guarded as you would
believe. Though We have no feminine
reporters, such "a you have In the United
States, many OF our women write for maga-
zines and have become well known a.
authoresses. They are being educated
now In European fashions, but have not
yet arrived at the stage where they appear
as women lawyers.
Though our religion. which Is that Of
Moha umed, allows each man several
I wives. one wife Ia the general rule. The
| Shah il an exception, however, az he has
| three, in order to be sure OF securing an
| heir for succession to the throne. The
l Fire Worshippers, which are one Of the most
ancient sects and followers Of Zoroaster.
| still exist as a small band and continue
| their remarkable manner OF burial OF the
dead. This consists OF placing the corpse
| on top Of tall tower and leaving II 10 b /,
picked to the bones by vultures. With the
| Moha nmedans interrnent is made as with
| you i'm Christ ian lands
America is a country full OF wonderful
| inventions, and Persia would be more than
| glad to cultivate the most intimate trade
| relations, with a view Of mutually utiliz-
| ing the products of each land. At present,
| Europe u nonopolizing most Of our COM
merce, AZ 1t has been In the trade for much
longer time. but IL remains for the push OF
/ the American business man to change
| these conditions. We have no department
| Of patents. such as you POSSESS, every in
| vention coming under the scrutiny OF the
/ Minister OF Public Instruction, whose duty
| il is TO search the records and grant rights.
| So few Americans ever get TO Pcrsia that
| the country In not as much known COM
naereially az II thonld be. and 1t is one Of
| the objects OF my mission TO do all In my
power TO increase the trade between the
two countries.