The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-09
SHAH Of PERSIA
SUCCUMbS AFTER
LONG ILLNESS

London. Jan. s.-Ths Daily Mails cor
respondent at Teheran in a telegram sent
last night at II so o'clock says:
Tho Shah OF Persia died this evening.
though no public announcement OF the
fact viii be made until tomorrow (Wed-
nesday).
1T was evident yesterday (Monday)
that the end was rapidly approaching and
four infections OF camphor were employ
ed 20 prolong the rulers life. All the
shah's vital functions were suspended To-
day and at 6. o'clock this evening the heir
apparent and the ministers were sum-
moned. The women OF the palace also
began preparations for mourning.
Soon after sunset the doors OF the
hArem were closed. This was tho sign
"The news OF the shah's death reached
the foreign ministers late THIS evening,
but the public Is still unaware OF ms
majesty's end. The streets are deserted
and the city is In darkness"
Mouza ffer ed Din. shah of Persia, was
born i'm the Persian capital. Teheran. on
March 25. 1853 and was the successor OF
his father, Nasr-sd- Din. who ruled the
country from 1S4S until 1886, when he was
shot and killed by the adherent OF Sc
ditious Persian sect while entering Mo-
hanmedan shrine near Teheran.
Mouzairer was the NTH sovereign OF the
present. or Kadjar dynasty, which began
when Agha Mohammed, who mad previ-
ousy set up an independent prlncipality,
went To war with Lutt All, hurd, VINO
ruled Persia from 1859. ana after q period
OF six years conquered the PERSIAN peo-
pie. Agha Mohammed was assasSinaten
two years later but the dynasty which
he founded has ruled Persia ever since.
When the Shah MouZaffer- -ed-Din sue
ceeded 10 the Persian throne the country
was largely under the influence OF the
Russian court, although friendly 70 Great
Britain. The country was IN state or
sporadic insurrection and the previous
snah, Sn energetic aud severe ruler, rad
aroused much unpopulanty alnOng the
people by his metnods.
The policy OF shah Mouzarfer-ed ed-Din
was much more liberal and his rule has
been a comparatively quiet one. When
he came into OF ce in lssj ne immedlatel, 4
reduced the taxes on food which had beeh
levied by his IA lher. lie proclaimed thaI
public office should henceforth be award
ed on merit and without consideration Of
money. and declared that he would rule
without a grand vizier he himself sssum-
ing the presidency OF the cabinet or II
ministers.
About two months ago, through his ef-
forts, constituent assembly was given
TO the people OF Persia and for the frst
time In the history of the ancient country.
which 20 centuries ago. was the master
OF the then known civilized world, with
the exception OF Greece, there was some
kind OF parliamentary government in
Persia.
In 1900 the shah made visit to Europe
and was entertained I'm nearly all the con-
tinental capitals. although the death OF
the Duke OF SAKE Coburg Gotha prevent
ed his visiting England. While I'm Paris
during his European tour he narrowly es-
cared assassination by an Anarchist nam
ed Saison
The chief feature OF the shahs reign
has been the persistent attempt OF Rus
sia TO extend her power over the coun-
try begun in the reign OF the previous
shah. Very much the same kind Of tao
tics employed by the Russian court in
Manchuria have been used In Persia
Russian consuls have been appointed I'm
nearly all OF the larger towns railroad
franchises have been seized, extensive
loans have been made to the government
and the number OF the Russian troops on
the frontier has been increased.
Coincldentally the British have been
playing a losing game in their attempt to
exercise a supervision OF Persian affairs.
II has been a popularity that. despite the
tales OF terrorism which emanate from
the Russian empire, the influence OF the
czar's government IN Persia has tended
toward the betterment of the condition
or the Persian common people. Cruelties
formerly alleged 20 have been practiced
have been eliminated 10 great degree.
The new shah OF Persia is Mohammed
All Mirza born June 21. 1872. whose son,
Houssein All Mira Ttezad. lad. is now
the heir presumptive The late shah
leaves fve other sons and II daughters.
Six brothers also survive.