Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-10
london's View of the Shah's
Trouble in Persia.
SOURCE OF SHAFTS MONEY
Visit Of the Khedive May Provoke
Unusual Interest.
BRITON INFLUENCE IN SPAIN
Hue and Cry Over Nude Figures.
Vanderbilt Coaching Season End
ed-Vault Room Scarce.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


LONDON, June -. 1903.
1t is believed that Russian agents have
good deal to do with the trouble that
has arisen in Persia. 1t is thought that
the shah has had financial aid. for IT
seems that he has paid his soldiers. VINO
would not fight for him unless he mao
done so. and to do this lie must nave
had money from somewhere. and the
only possible source from which he couio
obtain it would be Russia. The shah
object, of course, is to govern the couh
try as his father did, automatically, ana
it Is the hope of those here VINO are III
terested in the country that he may sue
coed. Free constitutions do not yet suit
the oriental temperament.
The shah himself is a very hot-heaoeo
and an impatient sort OF man. taxing
the most drastic means to overcome
everything opposed to his interests. IL
is expected that he will get the better
Of the opposition now, because the ma
tional assembly is not strong enough. nor
are the people sufficiently prepared, 10
back the national assembly up with arms.
He will overthrow it, provided ne mas
sufficient funds to go on with and some
of the strong men in the country behind
him.
The really strong man of Persia is the
zil-el-sultan, the shah's uncle, and much
depends on his attitude. The last ln1or
nation Is that the Zil-el-sultan was sent
to Shiray to restore order in that district
So far we do not know how far he mas
succeeded There Is possibility that ne
may be recalled to Teheran to put the
shah's house in order.
I understand that Sir Cecil Spring Rlce,
British minister to Persia. has been asked
what protection he requires for BRUSH
subjects there. 1t is anticipated that half
a battalion of infantry, with machine
gun. will be asked for as special lega-
ton guard, and Gen. Sir A. Hunter has
been advised that these troops may De
required from his command Of the IN
dian southern army and to hold them IN
readiness for dispatch at very snort no.
tice, while the authorities at Bombay are
to see about the necessary transport: 1t
will be a native regiment That Will be
sent, and not British one.
Meantime. the East India fleet has re-
ceived orders to send two gunboats i'm
mediately to Bushire in readiness to land
bluejackets if the situation becomes any
graver. I am authorized to state that
the British government is working In cor
dial cooperation in the present situation
with Russia, and that each power is
keeping the other advised Of the steps 1t
is taking to restore order in the Persian
capital. and that, should armed interven-
ton become necessary, it will be taken by
this country and Russia jointly. This,
ment.
No Interest in Khedive's Visit.
The khedives visits to London come SO
regularly that they excite little interest.
except among the small groups OF people
who wonder what diplomatic or financial
significance they may have. Every sum-
mer he takes a three months European
tour. spending the time at Constantinople
London and Paris. The sultan Is stu his
nominal suzerain, and, no doubt. the two
men still have breads of the future indie
pendence OF Egypt and of the fail or
British rule No one is deluded by the
protestations that the khedive is loya!
adherent Of British domination. and LORD
Cromer could tell some remarkable
stories if he would, of the worries that
the young khedive caused him until he
came to realize that it was useless to
kick against the pricks. and that, Tor the
time at any rate. he would nave TO De
content with the nominal position of the
ruler of Egypt.
There are few people who are aware
that there was almost a critical phase OF
the Egyptian question this year: 1t was
proposed some time ago that King Ed
ward should visit the sultan at CONSTANT
NOBLE to discuss the khedive's position
with him. 1t was hoped that that posi-
ton might be regularised, that the sultan
would give up the claim of his suzerainty
over Egypt, and that IN THIS way brltlsh
hold over that country would be more
secure The idea was. however, aban-
doned. chiefly because the time was not
thought to be opportune, but also because
it was known that for the king to visit
the sultan at Constantinople would have
raised a much greater howl Of pious in
dignation than did even the meeting at
Reval. 1t may be. however. that the sub
ject will be raised during the khedive' S
visit, and the possibility gives his stay
here unusual interest and Importance.
The khedive's engagements to lunch at
Buckingham Palace and Clarence House
are signs. l understand. of an improve
ment In the relations between the king
and his excellency. 1t Is no secret that
last year the khedive did not pay his usual
visit to England because Of the GOODNESS
that then existed between the king and
himself The change. l understand. is
due to the exertions of Sir Eldon Gorst.
Personally the khedive is most ex-
emplary man. He is devoted husband
and father His wife is considerably
older than himself. which has usually a
SOLDERING influence over the husband.
Though lover Of the life and movement
of Paris. his tastes in reading are not
frivolous. He pores over abstruse works
of natural science and agriculture. But
he also breeds horses. shoots hunts and
motors BY his thrifty habits he has
accumulated great wealth, unlike his
grandfather of impious memory. Ismail
Pasha. He does not go into society and