The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02
SITS on THE PEACOCK THRONE.
Fat little Man Who Is the shadow Of
God on Earth

A new Shah-in-Shah (King OF Kings il
seated on the wonderful peacock throne
of Persia. He is a fat little man, hardly
matching his imposing titles, one OF which
is. "the Shadow OF God on Earth" He
is now about 81.
1t is q point in his favor that he IL fond
of hunting and that when he was Crown
Prince at TabriZ he frequently went
after bears in the mountains. In the
gardens OF his palace he could be seen
practising craftsmanship on small birds
or shooting at apples and pears on the
palace roof with his courtiers.
In the matter Of wives he has been ex-
tremely abstemious considering the stan
dard set by his ancestors and the matri-
monial p%rodigality sanctioned by his faith.
When | was at Tabriz, says a writer in the
Ladies' Realm, he had only half a dozen.
But wives are a costly luxury, and per-
ha ps the fact that he was In a chronic state
of impeouniosity may have accounted
for his harem being 80 scantily stocked.
He was often in sore straits TO raise money.
His favorite method was to promise titles.
to be conferred when he assembled the
throne, for so much cash down.
He has never been outside Of Persia
He speaks no European language and OF
education in the European sense he has
had none. 1t 10 unfortunate for him that
his lot wal cast so long in an inferior prov
ince and that he was 80 much under the
influence OF the priesthood.
The priests are the bane OF Persia, but
those of Azerbaidjan are the worst OF the
lot. They are fanatical followers Of Islam,
narrow minded and bigoted and opposed
TO everything in the nature Of modern
reforms which Of necessity would diminish
their powers. The inspiring monotheism
of Zoroaster, the ancient religion Of Persia,
survives now in its purity only among those
Persian emiRrants, the Parsees, who largely
control the finances Of Bombay.
The new Shah Ia the eldest Son OF his
father, but there is no law in Persia which
vests the succession in the eldest son. The
Shah may nominate whom he pleases among
his children TO succeed him.. The second
son oil the late Shah is apparently a much
ADLER man than his elder brother. He Is
really a clever young fellow, Is vel educate
and probably would be an able sovereign.
But the fact that he has a slave mother,
while Mohammed Ali Mizra's was a Pnn-
CESS OF the Kadjar tribe constituted an OBJ
stacle to his succession, though by no means
an lnsurmountable one. Odd As " may
seem, the proof he has given that he il q man
OF vigor and ability would count against
him rather than in his favor,
Heirs to the throne. in Persia have a dis
agreeable way OF seeking 10 obtain possess
sion OF the crown before IL descends to
them in the natural course OF events by
starting a revolt, or in some other way
getting rid Of their fathers. The more
capable and ambitious the heir the'more apt
he ia 10 anticipate the decease OF his sire.
II the truth were known II would prob
ably be found, too. that Russian influence,
which was predominant at the time, had
not a little 10 do with the selection OF Mo
manned Ali Mira as the ShHh's successor.
IL is Russian policy TO stimulate the rotting
process in Persia To accelerate national
decay and d~isintegration In order tina a
plausible preteIt may he provided for step.
ping in and taking possession OF the land