The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02

or at leastya big slice Of it. And this sort Of
game can be better played when there is a
puppet on the throne than when there Is a
strong man seated on it.
AT Tabriz, which is in the north OF Persia
and near TO the Russian frontier, Russian
influence had free play with the new Shah,
and the Cossacks have afforded him many
object lessons OF her might and power.
But the defeat of the colossus of the North
by Japan has greatly impaired her prestige
in Persia. Her Impeachment by the
war has damaged it still worse. The
Oriental is always on the side that pays
best, and as Russia no longer pays her
influence in Persia is waning.
If the new Shah possesses the character
istics Of a cauable ruler he has hitherto
most carefully concealed them. But
whether he turns out q puppet or develops
unexpected ability will really make very
little difference in the destiny OF Persia.
Though nominally an autocTat, the Shah
can ordinarily accomplish very little.
Even if he did combine intellect, will and
energy he would rouse such a swarm OF
enemies that he would probably be as
sassinated before he could effect many
reforms
The priests, or mullahs. exercise vastly
greater power than the Throne does, The
administration of justice is in their hands.
but it has DEF into a mere matter
of bribery. The head of the church yields
far greater power than the Shah does, and
AS u6 lives On luihlbh ltlIIlbly lHb oLhh
annot get hold Of him.
A good deal has been said of the reforms
to he accomplished by the Persian Duna,
but there is small chance that much good
can come of it 80 long as IT is in the hands
of the mullahs.
In spite of the fact that missionaries
have great freedom in Persia there is
scant prospect of the spread Of Christianity.
The missionaries are tolerated only on
condition that they let the Mnssulmans
,lNta aud narHnn chair rAnnltyttr ~ - cha,
Armenians and HISTORIANS, who don't
count for much.
The career of the late Shah showed how
far his supposed despotic power fell short
of being the real thing; He hated his
fathers Grand Vizier. who was in Office
when he succeeded to the throne, but he
dared not depose him Immediately. After
tolerating him for some time he ventured
10 ask for his insignia, which signifed that
he was dismissed,
The dismissal Of a Grand vizier in Persia
is usually accompanied by an invitation
to take a drink. The drink contains poison.
This the depOsed Prime Minister is ex-
peoted TO swallow and gracefully retire to
| another world, where he can no longer
cause any embarrassment 10 his royal
master.
But the Grand Vizier had no desire 10
| exchange the solid joys Of earth for the
shadowy delights of Paradise. Protected
by the Russian Legation and aided by it's
RaN At AON " Ahthf ~ GU AAAAN' 1888
Teheran, where lie possessed an estate, and
there he remained for two years, practically
defying the Shah. Owing largely to his
influence the Grand Vizier who succeeded
him could accomplish nothing, and the
Shah had to endure the humiliation of
recalling him,
The personal ~favorite Of the Shah was
Hakim ell Moulk, who had been his physi-
clan and whom he made Minister OF the
Court. The restored Grand Nizier, re-
on dipu him as "A rival GIplppdp1 in getting
him exiled from Teheran.
One day Hakim ell Moulk received the
golden cup, a vessel which the Shah is
accustomed to send TO those of his friends
or enemies whom he desires to get off the
earth. Imagining that it. had come from
the Shah, Hakim obediently swallowed the
fatal draught.
The Shah had not sent it and he was
furious over the loss OF his friend; The
evidence indicated pretty clearly that it
was the Grand Vizier who had thus uslrped
the royal pr~erogative; but again he was
able to make good his escape, and this
time, having in the interval we'll feathered
his own nest, he fed TO Europe, where he
can calmly disregard golden cups and
need not fear assassins' daggers.. This
happened three years ago. and he still lives
in Europe.
Cabinet of the late Shah and has shown
such ability in trimming his sails that he
will probably be able to hold his office
under the new Shah, as will most Of the
members of the Cabinet.
There are some able men among them,
notably the Minister OF Finance, who was
educated at Oxford and speaks English
huently. But he IL O Persian, and when a
Persian takes office, whatever his training,
his first consideration is usually his own
purse.
That ls generally a Shah's falling, too,
as has been well eIemplified In the late
shah's reign. He used up a big share Of
a Russian loan OF his own household ex-
penses and to defray the cost Of his European
tours.
His e1travagance has sadly depleted tho
great horde OF jewels and other treasures
which were stored In the palace when he
became the King OF Kings. The new Shah
will have no such means Of raising the wind
The peacock throne. which Is literally
studded with precious stones and is esti-
mated TO be worth several millions OF
pounds, would suffice 10 keep him going FOX
many years, put ever a Shah would not dare
TO loot this most prized Of the royal heir
looms OF Persia.