The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-12-14

ernor OF half a dozen provinces In
southern Persia, ruling with vigor
and energy and showing himself to
be man of ability, honesty and pro-
gresslve tendencies. Whatever may
have been his earlier ambition, he
accepted the situation without pro-
test and telegraphed his younger
brother, Muzaffar-ed- Din, assuring
him of his loyalty and holding him
self personally responsible for the
support of his provinces.
The late shah, Nasr-ed-Din, who
came to the throne in 1s4S at the
age of IL, was wise and firm ruler,
and, being of frugal disposition ano
business ability, he increased and
boarded his wealth after the fashion
of ancient oriental sovereigns. Large
amounts of specie. costly jewels.
gold plate and other precious ar
ticles accumulated rapidly in the
vaults of the palace until they repre-
sented value of not less than $20.-
100000. Among his treasures was
a famous diamond called the "Derya-
i-Nur," of 1S6 karats. and the TAI
1 Man." of 1i6 karats. two of the
finest stones in the world. But dur
ing the last ten years of his reign he
abandoned his habits OF economy
and spent large portion of this
treasure, so that when Muzaffar
came to the throne 1t had been re-
duced at least one-half. The latter
initiated his father's extravagance.
He was lavish in his munihcence.
and has not only treasures. but has
created a large public debit chiefly
for the payment OF his own personal
expenses. The debt is held by the
Russian Imperial bank. and Is guar
anteed by all the custom-house re-
ceipts. with the exception OF those
collected at two ports on the Persian
Gulf.
Persia now has a national bank
with local capital, which is the first
step toward financial independence
and public improvements. There are
no railroads in the country and the
Jealousy OF Russia. Germany. Eng
land and other foreign powers has
been effective in preventing the gov
eminent from granting concessions
for their construction. The Russian
government has railway from Kras
novosk. on the eastern shores OF the
aspian Sea, to Bokhara and Samar-
Cand. which follows the Persian
boundary lines for a considerable
distance. and has made several sur
yeys from this line into Teheran
and the interior OF Persia. The
Germans have endeavored to obtain
concessions and English syndicates
have formed large plans. but neither
of the powers will permit the sub
jects- of the others to obtain the
political and commercial advantages
which a railway would carry with 1t.
There are two short railroads in
Persia. One runs about six miles
from Teheran to a suburban town,
and the other connects one OF the
northern cities with the seacoast at
about the same distance.
Russian steamers sail from Baku
to all of the Persian ports upon the
Caspian Sea and the shortest route
to Teheran is by one of them to the
port of Resht. and thence by carriage
road a distance Of about $50 miles
around the base OF Mount Demavend
which is 1900 feet high. General
Morteza tells that automobiles
are now running over this route and
make the distance in fifty hours.
There is very little trade between
the United States and Persia, the
imports into this country from Persia
being valued at only about $4,000
last year. They consisted of car
pets. rugs. silks, dried fruits and
gum tragacanth. which is used in the
of mucilage. as basis
for medicines, and for other pur-
poses. Our exports to Persia
to about half a million dol
lars, agricultural Implements, hard
ware. furniture. and various articles
af marchap1fca