Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15

European inventions and institutions for
the betterment OF his people as his illus
trious father. 1t was not for lack OF ap-
permanent He was ready to accept new
ideas and give them the royal sanction so
long as they did not threaten law and or
der: He enlarged his views by several
visits to Europe.
Muxafar-e-Deen liked Americans and
was very friendly to our missionaries. He
culties and the opposition they met in their
work came under his notice. He was on
the friendliest terms with our missionary
physicians, OF whom DR.. Holmes was par
tfcularly liked and received at the gov
eminent palace as an honored friend
o,d. s shail not soon forget an incident that
OF a prince and friend The time of the
great annual mourning for the martyrdom
was the easd Mohaa
REM It is q very solemn month for all
who believe in the sanctity Of that event.
slams are Sheahs and all the Turks are
Sunnees. 1t Is not worth while to discuss
these sectarian creeds here. Suffice to say
that during the month OF Moharrem fanat-
1cism reaches an extreme limit in Persia
The Persians being highly excitable.
harrem. and carefully mind their own bust
ness. On the occasion to which have al
luded the fanatical excitement was I'M
usually strong, as 1t was throughout the
sacre Of Gen. Hicks and his army in the
soudan. and the great progress Of the
Owing to this excitement the members
OF the diplomatic corps at Teheran consid
cred the situation as serious and that
European residents should be warned. as a
spark might start an explosion, and the
foreigners, and perhaps native Christians,
In Persia be massacred throughout the
land. The American missionaries in Per-
STA were SO absorbed in their work
that they seemed entirely obliyious Of the
agitation about them. Azerbaiian, and
especially Tabreez. its capital. were the
the missionaries went on quietly admitting
Mohammedan children to their schools,
contrary to conventions and treaties.
Of any sect, might be admitted. but Mo-
hammedans never, because the govern
ment is theocratic. and its very founda-
away and the fabric must crumble.
<Whether right or wrong no people like to
see the foundations of their house giving
way under them until some better mansion
Finding that his circumstances had no
effect with the American missionaries, whose
zeal was in excess of their usuai good
their own lives, but that Of all the Chris
tfans in Tabreez, Muzafar-e-Deen boldly
decided to take a new course. Friendly to
the missionaries but with stern RESPONSE
bilities to his own people, the prince sent
me noble telegram worded both with
suavity and force Your people" said he,
will take no advice and are endangering
the lives of many. l cannot longer be an
swerable for the results unless they are
prepared to yield from their position, at
least for a time May 1 urge your excel
lency to cooperate with me under the cir
cumStanceS?"
saw the reasonableness Of the views of
the valyahed at once. They conceded with
my own. and / sent off telegram to the
missionaries at Tabreez requesting them
to close their schools for a few weeks. This
message I followed with letter explaining
the situation. In reply I received a letter
from them agreeing to the request OF the
prince and of the American legation. al
though adding that so far as they were
concerned they saw no reason for the
alarm and could not well bring themselves
to exclude Mohammedan scholars who APP
piled for admission to the schools. But l
believe that eventually they tacitly yielded
on this point, as they did about similar
case brought to my attention In Teheran.
Subsequently the prince presented me with
his photograph and signature, which are
reproduced here.
The reign Of Muzafar-e-Deen Shah will
always be remembered as marked by the
establishment of parliament at the capital
of Persia, and the proposal for national
bank to enable the nation to float its
finances without depending on borrowing
from abroad, which, situated as Persia Is,
would curb national freedom. Another
point to remember in connection with
this patriotic sovereign is the fact that he
sent the heir apparent to Europe to broad
en- his mind by contact with foreign uni
versities and culture. There is no doubt
that under his reign Persia has taken sew
eral steps decidedly in advance. To say
that Persia has lost ground in the last three
reigns of the Khajar dynasty would be an
error. Handicapped by her geographical
situation, Persia seems to hold back. But
the brains of her people are as active as
ever, still moved by an Incompatible tai
ent for decorative art, fond Of literature
and science and possessed of decided COM
mo ability IF the powers would only
let Persia alone she would spring once
more to progressive life and hold the rank
that rightfully belongs to her. All that she
asks is freedom and space to move again
to the place won by Darius, Khosru and
Abbass. 1t may be added in passing that
owing perhaps to preserving the purity Of
the line the sovereigns of the KhaJar dy-
nasty maintain a strong family resem-
blance. May they long remain in power!
S. G. W. BENJAMIN.