davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
Some Queer Easter Eggs.

Olive NJ. Weatherby, in Central
Christian Advocate.
Away out in Kansas, on a
large prairie farm, lived Ned
and Jamie Black. They had a
pleasant cottage home and with
their dogs, chickens and pony
spent many happy hours.
Their holidays were but few,
and they always looked for.
word with great delig ut to
them, and especially to Easier.
They would begin several
weeks before Easter came t o
hide eggs, taking a few each
night when they hunted them,
till they had a great nestful;
and then what fun on East ,
er morning to take big
basketful and surprise mamma.
One evening, the first of
March, they were all around
the bright fire in the sitting.
room; papa and mamma were
reading, Ned was playing with
Sncwball-the kitty-aud Jamie
was curled up on the lounge,
sintently studying an almanac.
Presently he arose and went
into the other room, reckoning
to Ned to follow.
Say, Ned" he began in Il
whisper, ~ on know three weeks
from next Sunday is Easter and
we have not begun to hide any
eggs yet
"That's So" said Ned, I'VE
will commence tomorrow.
So the next day when they
gathered the eggs, they took
live of them to hide.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
Follow The Flag"
kEM!5iizzl
THE BANNER ROUTE
FOR

New York, Niagara Falls, De.
troit, Toledo, Omaha, Council
Bluffs, st. Paul and all points
north, east and west.
Though Chair Cars (seats
free) and Buffet Sleeping Cars,
Kansas City and Moberly t.
New York, Detroit, Des Moines
and st. Paul and Omaha; ana
st. Louis to Chicago, Buffalo.
New York and Boston.
Compartment Sleeping Cars
between st. Louis and Kansas
City.
Magnificent Dining Cars be
tween st. Louis and the east.
Fine road bed-elegant equip
ment and fast time.
C. S. CRANE, H. E. WATTS,
G. P. &T.A, P.&T.A.
St. Louis N berIy.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
Teachers, get your report
cards at this office.

Kansas City S ar: Senator
Stone first removed from Yer.
non county to St. Louis and
now he will leave St. Louis to
locate IN Jefferson City. A
rolling Stone gathers no moss.
but heaven knows moss is some.
thing which no Democratic pol.
iticlan in Missouri needs.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
TRkNEL5EE E RSS c11yOE
RAILWAY, ~, G \ y s!sls
AAA A l58ADAMS SLCHICAG0,
OPPORTUNITIES
IN THE SOUTH.

No portion of the United
States has made greater prog
ress in the last year or two
than the South. Northern ard
foreign capital is rapidly in
vading that section, finding
profitable investments in the
various industries and facto-
ries that are being rapidly de-
veloped and built. The great
influx of settlers is creating an
increased demand for lands of
all kinds and prices are grad
ually advancing, as'they will
for years to come. Work is
plentiful and poverty practi-
cally unknown. Alabama is
supplying coal and iron 10 all
the world. More money can
be made and with less labor in
the raising of small fruits and
berries and in'truck patching
on the Gulf coast than in any
other state in the Union. Straw
berries from Alabama reach
northern markets before those
from the states in the south
east. Cattle can be raised
with great profit, there being
millions of acres of cheap
range lands. If you are in
terested in the south and its
resources and desire informa-
tionon any subject, address
G. A. PARK
Genl Industrial& Immigration Act
LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE R. R
LOUISVILLE, KY,
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
EXTENSION OF COLONIST RATES TO THE
NORTHWEST AND CALIFORNIA.


The Burlington extends until June
18th the period of the greatly reduced
one-way colonist rates to the Northwest
and to California This is II good way
to save from fifteen to twenty dollars.
HOME. SEEKERS EXCURSIONS
Round trip tickets at one fare plus
S.. 90 are sold on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month to the West
and Northwest, including Montana,
Idaho. Washington, Oregon and Pu-
get Sound.
Cheap Round Trip Tickets TO California.
Round trip rates to California May
Sd and May 18th to 18th inclusive, with
sixty days limit. at $3.50 from st.
Louis; SO from Kansas City, and $50
from Chicago.
CALIFORNIA EXCURSIONS.
Join personally conducted through
tourist sleeper excursions to Califor-
MIA on frequent dates during each
week, via Denver, scenic Colorado
and Salt Lake City.
MAIN TRAVELLED ROAD
With its great trunk lines end it's
connections, the Burlington can take
the best care of you. The map shows
how directly the Burlington's lines
reach the entire west and northwest
region of our country.
Describe to us pour proposed trip
and .et US advise you the least cost
and send you free reading matter.
VIM. FITZGERA d L. w. WAKELEY
General Agent Gen'l Passenger Agent
Hannibal. Mo- st. Louis, Mo.
c. NJ. LEVEY, Gen'l Manager,
st. Louis. Mo,
j. L. LYON, Agent, Monroe City.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
An Easter Song.

An Faster A0uH.
p;oha.5 T. c.u.- III
"Succ.ss -
Ar;so -. L 49,.
E - = """ snug '"S
m
.,,..s'.-,>..1 : " "
A.aa,-,.,,e,.;.,'.r., ,..
-. 49, ~ "
,51,L., .H.,.
LONG was Ibn win,sr and tha
wai,ing lo,,.
Heart thara were r,nr. in.
deed thou w.r, afraid
=, l,pr ,h- Snr,pr Il.
l,r.d
Sbut in the Winters aIoba,rer
t,rb
So v,,i,. and stiIIt.e sI.-nv
Summ.rI,v
Tpat da,d she seemed
And n,n. mivnr Kunw how in
b-r may,c side
Silent the vonru Snrinu and
moved and smiled and
dreamed
Rehold she wakes auain and
onen.eved
:" "
"
""nlD' WV NY 0O
,
"'' ''' '"S - = - - '~'''"
Arise nv heart. yea ro tho,
forth and sing!
Join thou thv voice tn AM
this musjc sweet
OF crowdiny leaf and busy.
buildinp wipr
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09

know"
Let's make place in the
haymow," replied Jamie.
So they fixed nice warm
place IN the hay and put them
there.
Ia next day they had five
more Eggs to add to the first.
Wuen tney went to put them
with the Others jamie said:
Why, here are six; thought
we hid only five"
Maybe We made mistake,
said Ned.
50 they left them as before.
Again on the following day,
they had five more to hide. and
on counting them all they
found seventeen.
Surely we did not put ~ six
last night" said Ned; Il done
see how it is"
Before they had decided the
matter they heard a call, and
upon answering it found their
Uncle Charlie from his cattle
ranch twenty miles away who
had come to take them on a
long promised visit to his home
to see their cousins, Ralph aud
Leila. They were soon ready,
you may be sure, and started
on their long ride. They were
to stay till mamma and papa
came for them.
Many pleasant days they
spent, and forgot all about
their Easter eggs up in the hay
loft at home. On Saturday be
fore Easter. mamma and papa
came to take them home;
Ralph and Leila were going too,
to spend Easter with them.
Bright and early the four
cousins were up the next morn.
ing at home, and ready for the
day, when all of d suddenJamie
called out:
"Oh, Ned, there are eggs; 1
had forgotten about them"
What eggs?" SAID Ralph.
"Oh, some we hid before we
went to see you replied Ned.
Lets go and get them and
roast them ourselves. Come
on
So they followed Ned to the
barn and climbed up to the loft.
Ca, ca! pick peck; peep!
peep. was what the brighten
ed boys heard as they saw Ned
ahead grabbing at something.
Peck, snap! Let me alone~
And what do you think the
boys found? On their precious
Easter eggs was an old black !
hen. Ned lifted her up, and |
instead of Easter eggs, there
were eighteen little white and |
brown and buff chickens
Look at our eggs, Ralph
said Ned; the old hen has got !
ahead of u.s."
Then they knew that the hen
had found their nest, and that /
accounted for those extra eggs.
The boys were off to the
house to tell their story; papa |
said that 1t was the old hens
Easter, so they put her and her
eighteen little babies in a coop. |
and gave them Il nice break
fast RV thR OaYt EaStar old
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
A Thought for the Day.

The greatest and sublimest
power is often simple patience.
BUSHNELL.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09

The best physic Chamberlain
Stomach and Liver Tablets. Easy
to take; pleasant in effect. For sale
by All Dealers.
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09
COnundrumS.

Which are tie lightest men.
ScOtChmen, Irishmen or Eng
lishmen? Englishmen. In Scot
land there are men of Ayr (air),
in Ireland men of Cork, but in
England there are lightermen.
Who is the man who carries
everything before him? The
waiter.
Why are corn and potatoes
like Chinese iuols? Because
they have ears which can't hear,
eyes which cannot see.
Which is the merriest sauce?
Caper sauce.
When is a lamp not Il lamp?
When it is alight.
When is a boy not a boy?
When he is abed.
What color is a newspaper
when you are through with It?
Red.
Why is dirty rug like Il bad
boy? Because both need beat
ing.
What part o. a house is i'm
pertinent? A stair.
Why is Sunday the strongest
day? Because all the others
are weak (week) days.-Crimpe d
Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-09

New Haven, Conn, April g.
William Pickens of Hot Springs,
Ark, was awarded the 500 Ten
Eyck prize at the annual junior
exhibition prize speaking. He
is the first colored student to
ever win a prize of any import
anCe at Yale.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Two London Bye-EIections.

LONDON, Dec. 15.-The country is
waiting with intense interest the re-
suits of today's parliamentary bye
elections in the South London districts
Of Lewisham and Dulwich. whenever
side wins will claim that the result is
1 pronouncement in favor of the po-
sition it has taken on the fiscal ques-
ton, while. on the other hand, the de-
feated party will insist that local and
other issues outside tariff considera
tions were really the determining fac
tors.
Naturally the fiscal question figures
in the contests, but in neither case is
it a square fight on this question alone,
and what the voters do today will not
be an altogether reliable indication
Of what they will do when the Cham
berlain issue is thrown upon the COun-
try and every parliamentary district
is asked to give judgment on that is
sue. 1t may be said truthfully, how
ever, that if the tariff reform candl
dates win in todays contests their vic
tory will give a great impetus to Mr.
Chamberlain cause.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
To Settle Plant Estate.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Dec. 15.-The
contest over the s17,OOO,OO0 estate of
the late Henry Bradley Plant. the
southern railroad and steamship mag
nate is probably at an end, the case
coming up for final hearing before
Judge Cleveland here today. The
will of Mr.. Plant, who died in 1899
provided an annuity for Charles E.
Hoadley and Horace G. Hoadley of
Waterbury. When the executors won
the New York cour-s' approval of- the
claim that EIr. Plant was a resident of
that state they placed with a trust
company a fund to secure the payment
IF the annuity to the HOadleys. Con-
test was brought by the latter in Con-
necticut to prevent the further re-
nova! of the estate, and also suit
vas brought praying for the removal
Of the executors on the ground that
they were acting Illegally. TOday's
earring was on a petition filed by the
Hoa dley' asking that the proceedings
in this state be made auxiliary tC
those in New York which action indi-
Gates that settlement has been eff
fected, and that the suits brought by
he Hoadleys will not be pressed.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Execution In Far Northwest.

CTTLGARY. n. w. T.. Dec. 15.-One
of the most cold-bloOded murder cases
in the criminal annals of the North
west closed today with the execution
of Ernest Cashel. Cashers crime was
the murder of Isaac Rufus Bell set
tier in the Red Deer district, who had
befriended him. The body was thrown
in the Bow river The crime was COM
mitted in October, 49, vt the body
was not discovered until last July
when it was identified by relatives.
Cashel was traced from place to place
by the mounted police and finally ar
rested near Calgary.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
No Reduction for Indiana Miners.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind, Dec 15.-In-
dana mine operators went into session
here today to discuss the attitude they
vii take at the approaching interstate
ioint conference as to wages and la
bor conditions for the scale year be
g.Dning April l. From views express
Oh nv several Of the most prominent OF
the mine owners it appears probable
that no reduction in wages will be ask
ad for so far as the Indiana bitumin-
ms fields is concerned.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Meeting of Southern Surgeons.

ATLANTA. Ga, Dec. 15.-One hun
dred of the leading surgeons of the
Southern states and several from the
FAR west section of ST. Louis and as
far north as Buffalo thrOnged the large
assembly room of the Piedmont hote
today. and began three days session
for the discussion of the latest dis
coVeries and improvements in the
methods of surgery. The occasion was
the opening of. the annual convention
of the Southern Surgical and GynecO-
logical association. The opening ses
sion was devoted largely to addresses
OF welcome and responses, officers re-
ports and other routine business. DR.
J. Wesley BUtee. of Washington, D. c..
presided and the secretary of the con-
Ventlon was DR.. w. D. Haggard, of
Nashville, Tenn. The program pre-
pared for the convention calls for pa
pers and addresses by many eminent
members of the profession.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
ASK IS PER CENT INTEREST
Jensen & King Want $226.80 On 500
Debt, $48.50 Being Already Paid.

SPOKANE, Wash.-O. G. Jensen and
c. L. King have brought suit in the
superior court to collect note with
interest at Is per cent per annum. L.
Wright, Of Sprague. Wash, is the de-
PENDANT. The complaint admits that
s4S.5O has been paid and that the
original debt was but 800, but judg-
ment for s226.SO and costs is asked.
The plaintiffs ars members Of the firm
Of Jensen, King, Byrd & Co.
The state ursury law fixes the max
jmum interest which may be charged
at II per cent. per annum. The COM
plaint. which is sworn to by Mr.. King.
alleges that Mr.. Wright gave note
November /, 1892, for the 800, with
interest at IA per cent per month,
which note was due October 1, 1908.
PAYMENTS are admitted of $3.50.
s206O and SO, but the plaintiffs de-
mand Judgment for s206.S0 on the note
and $40 attorney fees, with costs.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
INTENSE
INTEREST
Great Crowd Hears
PhiIandtr 6. Knox.
DISCUSSES RAILWAY MERGER
The Attorney General Makes a Bril-.
liant Areument-Looks Like
DISCUSSES RAILWAY MERGER

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Another
large and distinguished audience
gathered in the supreme court cham
Der today even standing room being
occupied by those wishing to hear
the Northern Securities case. This
was knox's first appearance in person
since he was appointed to the cabi-
net and there was close attention when
the understood smoothfaced. youthful
looking man began his address at
noon. 1t proved to be brilliant effort.
There was no attempt at oratOry, but
the clear incisive tones We're audible
throughout the crowded chamber,
which is noted for it's bad acoustics.
The speaker rarely indulged in ges-
lures, although he sometimes sharply
brought his fingers together on his
palm and called the promoters of the
Northern Securities company empire
builders" and oriental dreamerS." He
said their real plan was to secure an
absolute and undefeatable monopoly
of all transportation facilities over the
territory traversed by their lines.
He said in part:
'The gentlemen on the other side
have referred to themselves as crirni-
nails and expected the court to be hOr-
rified at such an appelatiOn. We
have not referred to you as criminals,
but as defendants in equity and that's
what you are. 1t will be time enough
10 evoke strict construction of the
statute when you shall have been act
ually arraigned and charged with
rhine"
He declared the atute under which
the case was brought to be remedial
"ather than penal He quoted the de-
risions in the trans Missouri and joint
traffic cases to show their applicable
ity to the Securities case. He declared
that the governments case could be
put into one terse sentence: rs there
terstate commerce." To prove that
the Securities company is trust ne
cad from the testimony of Morgan,
Hill. Clough and others. He said:
Hill and Morgan are the men who
IRE responsible for this organization,
which is strictly prohibited by law. To
deny that it is such a combination
.haNenges common intelligence. to de-
ny that it is in restraint of trade Is
to challenge the authority of this
court"
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
RIOTS IN KOREA
JAPS BEHAVE BADLY
American Residents Are Much Alarm
ed and Want Warship-Rus-
sa Is Neutral.

SEOUL, Korea. Dec. 15.-There were
more riots in Mokphe yesterday. A
Japanese mob wounded seventeen
Koreans. The Korean officials are
strenuously endeayOring to quell the
disorders. Russia has not interposed,
although her influence still prevails
over the Korean government. Ameri-
can Minister Allen has demanded a
reply from Korea regarding the OPEN
ing of Port Wiiu. The American resi-
dents, fearing disorder, desire that a
United States warship be sent here.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
OUTRAGE
At MILAN
Merchant Robbed of
Money andIC|othes.
WAS MARCHED SEVEN MILES
After He Had Been Stripped Of Cloth
inq He Was Locked in

SPOKANE, Dec. 15.-Practically all
the inhabitants of Milan. 25 miles from
here. searched all night for their post
master and wealthy store keeper, }. r.
Congleton. He was found seven miles
away locked in a box car, naked, his
clothing had been stolen. He went to
lock his store last night at O'Clock
and was met at the door by masked
burglar with two revOlvers. f1ou1
sack was thrown over COngleton
head and he was robbed of $35 and
made to walk, though lame, seven
miles. He was placed in the car after
his clothing had been taken. He was
almost frozen when found.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
-FOUR TRUSTED MEN
STEAL MILLIONS
Such Is Rumor Regarding Employees
of Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company.

DENVER, Colo, Dec. 15.-There is
a rumor today that four men recently
discharged from the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company's works at Pueblo have
been in colluSiOn for years past and
that the company faces a $4,000, 900
shortage. The company expects to
give out a statement at it's meeting
this evening. The dismissed men are
under no bonds and if guilty are sing
ularly placed.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Clouds Of Dust in Los Angeles.

Los ANGELES. Dec. 15.-HOWard
E. Huntington. son OF Henry E. Hunt
ington~JOhn J. Akin. f. p. Clark. S. B.
McClennegan, street railway mag
mates. were arrested this morning for
failing to sprinkle the tracks according
to ordinance. The arrests are the re-
suit of the Records crusade against
bad streets and clouds of dust. The
magnates will plead Saturday They
will fight the ordinance.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Bio Fire in Rochester.

ROCHESTER, n. Y. Dec. 15.-By a
series of fires in the factory district
last night and this morning $250,o0C
damage was done. Among the heav-
lest losers were the Surwood Leather
company, the Foster & Armstrong
Piano company and the Wendell &
Marshall piano etory. -....
At noon the fire which had beer
combated all morning broke through
the Marshall & Wendell piano factory
bringing the total loss to 100000.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
To Elect Mrs, SartoriS.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Dec. 15.-At the
meeting of the board Of lady managers
of the Louisiana Purchase exposition
called for tonight, it is expected that
the resignation of Mrs. James l.. Blair
as pres;dant of the board. will be pre-
sented and accepted. Mrs. Nellie
Grant Sartoris only daughter OF the
late General Grant, will in all proba-
bilitv be unanimously chosen to sue
ceed Mrs Blair.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Munroe VS.. Limerick.

BOSTON, Mass. Dec. 15.-Jack
Munroe, the Butte miner, who gained
so much fistic fame by getting a deci-
sion over Champion Jeffries, is to
tackle AL Limerick, the Buffalo heavy
weight, at the Criterion Athletic club
tonight. Limerick has scored a
knock out over philadelphia Jack o.
Brien, and appears confident of his
ability to put away the big man from
Montana.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Funeral of Commissioner Proctor.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.-The fun
eral of John Proctor, late president of
the civil service commission, who died
Saturday. was held this morning.
President Roosevelt accompanied by
his wife and sons attended, also Sem
ator and Mrs. Lodge, Secretary Hitch
cock and a large representation from
official circles.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
San Oominuo's Pastime.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Consu
simpson of Puerto Plata, of San Do
mlngo republic, wires that a new rev.
olutlon has broken out generally
throughout the island. The state de-
partment has no advices of the report
ed plot to kill Minister Powell and is
inclined to doubt the truth Of the story
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Bank Cashier Commits Suicide.

NEW HAVEN, Dec. 15.-Asa Bush
nell. cashier of the Yale National bank
one OF the leading financial institutions
of this city. shot and killed himself
in the bank basement this morning
fIXaI4.inatiOn of his accounts is III
progress. The officers believe that
there is no shortage.
The bank this afternoon announced
that Bushnell was a defaulter for a
small sum-
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Burlington Engines Jump the Track

OMAHA, Neb, Dec. 1.-two Bur-
lington engines on an east bound linn
tied iumped the track near Malvern
Ia, this morning and rolled down an
embankment crushing Engineer Cox
to death No one else was seriously
in iured
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
ATTENDANCE
IS SLIM
Many Congressman
Off for Holidays.
PENSION BILL IN THE HOUSE
Hepburn of Idaho Introduces a Reso
luton in Favor Of Annexinq
San Domingo.
PENSION BILL IN The HOUSE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Only two
score of members We're present when
the house met at noon today, owing to
the exodus of western members for the
holidays. The house resumed cons1d-
Grafton of the pension appropriation
bill.
In the senate Hepburn presented a
joint resolution providing that the
president acquire by annexation or
otherwise the island of San Domingo
and it's dependencies, the republics of
San Domingo and Hayti The resolu-
ton went to the committee Oh foreign
rela tons.
Morgan offered another resolution
on the isthmian canal, calling for in
forma tion as to whether or not Attor-
ney General Knox had negotiated for
the purchase of the rights of the
Panama company and whether or not
the French government participated
in such purchase. The resolution went
over. When the Cuban reciprocity bill
was taken up it was agreed that the
ne should be equally divided be-
tween its opponents and its advocates.
| Perkins OF California. devoted the
greater part of his argument to an
swering his Colleague Bard, who a
! few days ago contended that the bill
w. Il enable Cuba to deal severe
blow to California's citrOus industry.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-15
Persians Fight Caucasions.

BERLIN, Dec. 15.-Tageblatt re-
ports bloody conflicts along the eau
casian and Persian frontier. In a SER
les of battles the Caucasians were
routed. The Persian army is pursu-
ing them far into Persia. Tageblatt
says that it will furnish Russia pre-
text for Tightening her grip on Persia