New-York tribune., 1906-08-11
ASSEMBLY FOR PERSIA.
GRANTED BY THE SH4H.
FollOac$ Close on appointment of
Nezc Grand Vieier.

Washington. Aug. 10.-For the first time in her
history Persia is TO have national assembly.
This information WAS conveyed to the Persian
Minister here late to-day in a cable dispatch
from Mira Nassrolah Khan MochiredOlet Sad
reazame, the Grand Vizier and Minister for For
eign Affairs. who stated that, in view Of the de-
sire of his imperial majesty the Shah for the
extension of national tranquility and for the
welfare of Persia and all its Inhabitants and in
order to fortify the government, it had been
decreed necessary to give certain reforms and a
constitution durable for the country and for the
administration. The immediate organization Of
a national assembly for the realization Of these
reforms accordingly was ordered.
According to the dispatch, the assembly will
be composed Of equal parties. namely. princes of
the blood clergy. chief Of the reigning dynasty.
cadjar high dignitaries and personages, mer-
chants and representatives of corporations The
assembly will meet at Teheran, and il is pro-
vided that all civil and constitutional laws shall
originate in the assembly and after the signature
Of his majesty Will become effective.
The cable dispatch concludes as follows:
In order 10 thank his imperial majesty for
this happy initiation the people We're authorized
TO celebrate this happy event by rejoicing and
this day was declared a national holiday for the
people.
The Persian Minister tonight expressed his
pleasure at the news. and said it had come to
him as great surprise. The legation flag in
stantly was flown TO the breeze.
1t was pointed out by the minister that to-
days action, following within one week of the
appointment Of the new Grand Vzier, is indica-
tive of that officials progressive ideas. and that
much good is expected to result from his leader
snip.
The Persian government resembles that of Turkey
and has been an absolute monarchy in the hands
of the Shah assisted by a grand vizer and twenty
seven other ministers or viziers, who have charge
Of the various depart of the government. The
Shah must rule however. in accordance with the
divine law Of the Mahometan religion, OF which
he is not the head in his country The Shah re-
hgiOus system OF Mahometanism prevails in Per
sia, and its chief officer is the Inam-Juma. But
the Shah is regarded as the vicegerent Of the
Prophet and il is such that he has claimed the
implicit obedience Of his people. His official title IS
''Shahm-Shah.' King of Kings. and he has been
the absolute ruler in his dominions and master of
the lives and property of his subjects The entire
of the country being under their disposal,
the sovereigns Of Persia have amassed great pri-
vate fortunes.
The present Shah. Muzaffar-ed-d Murza. is ff-
ty-three years old and succeeded his father. Nasr-
ed-dir. Of whom he is the second son. in 1896 He is
the fifth of the dyn sty of Kajars which took pos
session of the crown after a civil lasting from
1-7e to 1894 The present Shah is estimated to be
worth about SlOO00C00 The of Persia is 3OOo0
square miles, and the population about 9.5OO00O
%ot more than 200 Europeans live in the country.
most Of these a Terehan. the capital. 1t
xyas announced early this year that the Shah would
eranf his people a representative assembly of
which ne would himself be the presiding officer