The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-18
SHAH Of PERSIA
AHEAD Of GEAR
N PROGRESS
Even far-off Oriental Persia has out
stripped Russia in the race for civiliza-

Even far-off Oriental Persia has out
stripped Russia in the race for civiliza-
ton.
Hardly had the ink dried on the
cars manifesto dispensing the dunla
and putting an end to Russia's dream
of partial government by the people
before the news came that the shah Of
Persia. despot of one of the most ahso-
lutte monarchfes on earth's face. had
listened to the voice Of progress and
volunteered to his people \ national
assembly.
The step is so radical that it may be
said to constitute one OF the greatest
victories that has ever been won for
the cause of government by the people
Ruled With Iron Hand.
Ever since SS1 b, c. the Persians
under Cyrus rebelled. overthrow the
Modes. who had temporarily subjugat-
ed that them. and founded 4 mighty
empire which included India. Asia Min
or, Syria. Palestine and Mesopotamia.
the successive shahS have ruled with
an iron hand. The best of them were
tyrants. the worst of them were guilty
of atrocities SO awful that they can
hardly be limited at.
The present emperor. Muzaffer-ed-
Din. possessed absolute power. limited
only by domestic intrigues and fear of
private vengeance. No one dare Ques-
ton even to the smallest point his
power over the lives and property of
his subjects.
If the shah admired mans wife and
wanted her for himself the husband
was in duty bound to consider that
great compliment had been paid him
and proffer. not only his wife but his
home. too. provided the mighty ruler
was willing to accept the gift
Should churl be found who might
not appreciate the glory of having his
selection of a helpmate admired. then
1t was the proper and easy thing to
have the rebellious husband put out of
the way by any of dozen convenient
methods. ranging from decapitation,
Stabbing or torture
When the ruler of such a country
decides that the time has come for a
national assembly it is splendid in
dication that no country is so deeply
unclaimed in tyranny that it may not
hope to break the bonds.
Assembly Will Make Laws.
The assembly will be composed of
princes of the blood. clergy, chief of
the reigning dynasty, Cadjar, high dig
nitaries and personages. merchants
and representatives of corporations.
The assembly will meet at Teheran,
and it is provided that it shall make
civil and constitutional laws. which,
upon receiving the signature of the
shah, will come into force.
The present shah has long been rec
ognized as the most liberal ruler
Persia ever had, and he might long ago
have granted some measure of freedom
but for the fear of counting assassina-
ton by the slightest slackening of his
autocratic control
The present shah is now SO years
old and his health is not good. The
burden of determining the success of
representative government in Persia
must soon fall to his second son and
heir, Ali Mohammed Mira, whom he
has named as the Valihd. or crown
prince, for succession to the throne.
He is even more progressive than his
father. The present shah has broken
the accepted rule of succession by
choosing son to be Valiahd who is
not the offspring of a Kajar princess,
but his people have made no objection.
Ali Mohammed Mira was educated in
England and is quite occidental in his
tastes and ambitions. He has the cour-
teous, kindly, amiable traits of his
father, but Is said to resemble his
grandfather, Nash-ed-Deen, in strength
of character. He is 80 years old