The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-01-09
Shah OF PERSIA DEAD;
PASSED away last NIGHT
CLOSING OF DOORS OF HAREM
SIGN THAT ALL IS
OYER.

Ais a iCthACSNAC AtuASA
Well Known to Western Europe
Comes at Time When European
Governments Are Engaged In Strug-
gle to Strengthen Their Positions In
Persia--ImpOrtant Geographical Po-
sitiOn of the Country-BufYer Terri
tory for England and Russia.
London, Jan 9.-The Daily Malls
correspondent at Teheran, in tele-
gram sent last night at 11:5O o'clock
says:
THE Shah of Persia died this even
ing, though no public announcement Of
the fact will be made until to-mor-
row wednesday,.
ut was evident yesterday (Monday)
that the end was rapidly approaching,
and, four injections Of canlphor were
employed to prolong the rulers life.
All the shah's vital functions were sus-
pended to-day, and at o'clock this
evening the heir-apparent and the min
isters were summoned. 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.
1.-THE news Of the Shah's death reach
ed the foreign ministers late this even
ing. but the public is still unaware Of
his majesty's end. The streets are de-
serted, and the city is in darkness.
London, Dec. "a dispatch to news
agency from Paris says a telegram re-
ceived there from Teheran declares
that the news of the death Of the shah
of Persia has been officially confirmed
by the grand vizier.
The death Of the shah removes a pic
turesque ruler, who was we'll known to
western Europe, owing to his frequent
visits, particularly to France, where he
totok Cures at Contrexeville, and en-
joyed the pleasures Of Paris life. Dur
ing the visit of 1905 the shah and his
suite made a dazzling appearance on
the boulevards and in the music halls
of Paris. They were treated as ma
tional guests, and given a truly royal
welcome, while popular enthusiast was
marked, owing to the shahs good ma
ture and lavish charity. On one occa-
sion he gave the conductor of an or
chestra 500 for playing a tune which
caught his fancy. At that time his
majesty looked old and feeble, his face
was pale and tiabby and had waxen
pallor. He Invariably wore a royal
costume, with richly embroidered coat,
and red fez, similar to his portrait
adjoining the American state Depart
ment.
The shahs death comes at a time
when European governments are en-
gagged in a struggle to strengthen their
position in Persia. This struggle is due
to the geographical position Of Persia
as buffer between the British possess
sions of India and Russia's southern
possessions stretching toward the Per-
sian Gulf. Still another international
factor has recently been introduced by
Germany's commercial and railway ac-
tivity along the Persian Gulf.
The late shah was strongly pro-Rus-
sian, and as result Russian influence
has been predominant at Teheran A
Cossack guard under Russian officers
forms the principal force of the Per
| sian capital. and Russia's loans to the
| impoverished Persian treasury make
| the country financially dependent upon
| Russia Until quite recently the strug-
gle over Persia was confined mainly tc
Russia and Great Britain, the latter
| seeking to restore her former prestige
| The Japanese war so weakened Russia
that her hold upon Persia somewhat
relaxed. British policy thereupor
sought to join interests with Russia in
stead of antagonizing her. AS result
an Anglo Russian understanding has
recently been negotiated, and the an
nouncement of its terms is considered
imminent. BY this agreement Great
Britain and Russia will cease their ri
valry over Persia and unite in a joint
policy whereby each safeguards its in
terests.
AT the same time Germany has beer
extending her influence in Persia; Ger
man physicians attended the shah dur
ing his last Illness; the establishment
of a German bank gives the first com.
petition to the Russian and British
banks; German enterprises are beinf
established, and the German project o.
a railroad promises to give new route
! to India.