New-York tribune., 1907-01-09
SHAH OF PERSIA DEAD
NEWS KEPT FROM PUBLIC.
Teheran IN Darkness Doors of
Harem Closed Soon After Sunset.

London. Jan. 9-"The Daily Nails" cor
respondent at Teheran, in telegram sent last
night at 11:5O O'Clock, says: 1.-The Shah of Per-
sia died this evening, though public an
nouncement of the fact will be made until to-
morrow "wednesday,
ut was evident yesterday (Monday) that the
end was rapidly approaching, and four injections
OF camphor were employed TO prolong the rulers
life All the Shahs vital functions were sus-
pended to-day, and at ) 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 the sign that all was
over.
The news of the shah's death reached the
foreign ministers late this evening, but the pub
lie is stlll unaware Of his majesty's end The
streets are deserted and the city is in dark
ness
Muzaffar-ed-Din who became Shah OF Persia In
1896 when his father asslssinated. was born
March 25 Is53 He was rot the eldest OF Shah
Nazr-ed- Din but under the Persian law was desig-
mated by his father. He the hfth Shah of the
Kajar dynasty which came into power in 1898 after
a civil war OF fifteen years duration The ruling
monarch usually designates as his successor his
eldest son by Il Kajar princess. but Nazr-ed-Din
designated his second II May 2, 1886
that the. reigning Shah was assass!nated while
driving in a village near Teheran. The Prime MIN
ister who with him. proppfd up the BODY ana
hnd the carriage Hastily driven to the palace and
the fatal nature OF the assault on the ruler con
cealed until tho heir apparent could be informed
and the reips Of authority placed in his hands.
The heir apparent the throne of Persia is the
nominal Governor of the province OF Azerbajan.
the chief city OF which, Tabrz. is second only TO
Teheran. the capital of the country While the
prince who IS expected TO succeed 10 the throne
has the title OF Governor OF this province he has
little real authority the Prime Minister or Nizler
controlling the revenues and managing its affairs
in interests of the throne So until his father
death Muzafrar-ed- Din, although then forty-three
years old had secured little real training
perieuce 10 fit him for the duties which his exalted
position imposed upon him but he had done what
was within his power for the people OF Tabriz.
When the new Shah assumed the throne he at
once reduced the taxes food and declared that
public offices would be awarded merit and with
out the offer of money consideration. He an
nounced that he would rule without a Grand Nizer,
and would be himself the president OF his CABINET
OF twelve ministers Four years after his acces-
sion 10 the throne OF Persia he made visit 10
Europe and royalty entertained at the chief
Continental capitals. The death OF the Duke of
Coburg prevented his carrying out his intention
to visit Queen Victoria In England. When driving
from Paris to Sevres on August ,, 1909 he had a
narrow escape from assassination at the hands of
an Anarchist named Salson. He again went to
Europe in 1902. visiting Germany. England. France
and Russia and in 1905 he made third European
trip, visiting Emperor Nicholas at st Petersburg.
in September OF that year. lie had fainting spell.
owing to the heat while in Paris July 26, 1906.
and in February OF the present IL reported
that he had stroke of apopexy In May last he
was again reported to be seriously ILL., and these
ports. frequently contradcted, were revived from
time time
The Shah made a study OF Western civilization
for the purpose of adapting to the benefit OF his
own people what had been found desirable He
found the revenues OF the country in a fairly good
condition his father had carefully conserved
the resources or the country and he steadily de-
veloped and strengthened the political. social and
commercial improvements for which his father had
laid the foundation. He also carried out the terms
his fathers proclamation In relation the
dom and security of person and property. incud-
ing rights OF association In industrial and COM
mercial enterprises.
The attitude of the Shah toward the Mahometan
mullahs. or priests, regarded more conser-
vatve than in other respects, but he held to his
fathers theory OF the supremacy of the civil over
the religious power He impressed those who
came into association with him with the seneros-
ity of his views. and Lord curzon. who visited
him. spoke of his high intellectual powers as
well as his amiability and unassuming man
The Shah carried ont his long declared purpose
last August of granting a constitution to Persia.
the rights and liberties of the people secured
by more liberal provision than before existed
The Shah or. according TO his official title.
"Shah-in SHAH King of Kings is absolute
ruler within his domnions, and master of the
lives and goods OF all his subjects. The whole
revenue of the country being the Shahs dis
pOsaI. recent soverelgrs of Persia have been able
10 anass large private fortunes, but that OF
Muzaffar-ed-Din is reported to amount only TO
100000 most of ii represented by diamonds. the
largest, the Derya ! Nur of lS6 carats. and the
Tai Man. OF LAG carats. and other precious stones
forming the jewels. The Shah has six pal
aces. and of them richly decorated
containing the, famous Hall OF Mirrors. and
other peacock throne which is said 10 have been
nstructed for Shah Faith All at OF $4,000.
The Kaiar DYNASTY - Turkish. and not Persian.
and the late Shah showed his Turanian descent in
his brusqueness of speech and love OF the chase.
lie was a of strong preiudices and consid-
cradle obstnacy. but kind hearted and aVerse to
using any despotic power.
The name Muzaffar-ed-Dn means Victorious OF
the Faith The title shah Shah" King OF Kings
dates back thousands of years In fact the rulers
of Persia their genealogy in direct line from
Japhet. the third OF Noah.
The successor TO the throne or Persia is the eldest