New-York tribune., 1909-07-17
THE SHAFTS WEAK RULE.
Career of the DepOsed Monarch of
Persia.

Mohammed Ali Mira like Abdul Hamid OF Tur-
key, has doggedly refused to heed the warning oc
the times Both yielded temporarily 10 the de-
mands for constitutional liberty, and then sought
of freedom.
Muzeffar -ed-din. father of yohammeI Ali VINO
left the throne TO his son at his death on January
9, 1s07 was lenent and amiabIe ruler. The son
was his Opposite-an uncompromising tyrant OF
the true Oriental type He fought increasingly
during the two years and half OF his reign 10
restore the absolutism OF his ancestors In this
he showed keen intelligence great force OF char
aCter and absolute lack Of scrupIe. But limited
resources and foreign influence proved TOO power
full
When he formally crowned. on January 70.
1907, MOhammed Ali became the fifth Of the dynasty
Of kajars. which took possession OF the crown
after civil war lasting from 179 1874 The best
known Of these kajar sOveregns was Nasr-ed-din.
who ruled from 1s4s till he assassinated. in
1896 His son succeeded him It Is within the
power Of Persian monarchs alter the law OF
succession and leave the crown 10 any member
Of the royal family but preference is generally
given 70 a son whose mother was kajar prn-
Hence. from the beginning of his reign the new
ruler faced the handicap OF not being in the ira
dttOnaI sense fully qualified succeed 10 the
throne. for his mother not OF royal blood. and
of his several brothers two were Of age and a
position to be dangerous rivals Nevertheless. he
was the eldest son and was chosen 20 rule He
was born in 1872 Before being named heir aQ-
parent he bore. eldest Of the Shah. the title
Etezad- -Saltanel C'the Source Of ne Empires
Might The young mans education was most
complete and modern. under both European and
Persian professors and he held several important
official posts before his accession 20 he throne
When he became heir apparent he was made vice
TOY Of Azerbatan. His father was III for months
before his death. and during that dme the son
was virtual ruler Of Persia
Few nonarchs have come TO the throne OF any
country after enjoying better opportunities Of eN-
perience in The art Of ruling and circumstances
gave him added opportunity for distinction ne
VAS the first monarch OF Persia 20 begin his rule
under a constitution. Up TO 1875 the government
of Persia was like that Of Turkey. an absolute
monarchy within the limits imposed by the Ma
bouetan religion. In 1875. however, the National
ist faction Of the people demanded representative
institutions and in January. 1895. the Shah an
nounced his consent 10 the establishment Of a na-
tional Council The number Of representatives was
fixed at l56. and they were elected IN October OF
that year The Shah signed the constitution on
January l. 1901 ard II vas countersigned BY his
son. who ascended the throne few DAYS later.
Then followed the efforts Of the reactonists to
nulfv the effect of constitutional reforms Be
fore his accession 10 the throne the prince had
led this opposition As Shah. he continued his OBJ
s+rucrfve tactics Bitter contests followed. marked
bv blooGshed and division OF the empire into
English and Russian spheres Of influence.
Fallen heads" announced the Shah soon after
his succession are the best policemen and that
laconic statement OF policy was the keynote OF his
reign Of terror. He haa few adherents- Babism.
the Professionalism Of NahOmetanisu'' was rap
idIy growing in strength. A revolutionary com
uittee was vigorously preparing for revolt AT
this functure Mohammed Ali. naturally Russian IN
ideas put his faith 10 counsellors Of nation.
He put Colonel Liakhoff. Russian. in command Of
his troops and looked TO the Russian governments
for help.
For tirle an Anglo-Russian agreement kept
what was virtually joint protectorate over the
kingdom Nevertheless the NatiCnalists. encOur-
aged by the success of the Young Turks, grew in
rov,er and aggressiveness- The shah quarreued
violently with his parliament Plots cropped out.
n, one Of which a brother of the Shah figured. He
had a narrow escape from death in February Cf
1,e when two homts We're thrown him. Mem
bers of parliament were suspected and that body
was called upon 10 give up the guilty IL
f,1se1 In reply the Sbgh directed recall
certain prescribed ConstiJgtCnalist leaders Then
the shah On June . 1898. intrenched himself in
his palace outside of Teheran, and sent the roya!
troops under the Russian commander 10 force
parliament 20 discand-
That, precipitIted the rebellion The Shah
,ered new election and surrender Of arms This de-
cree was not enforced. Russia and England withdrew
their support from the government. Turkey gave
the insurgents active support. Tabriz declared for
thu rebel. but disarned promise Of a renewed
of the constitution Instead OF keeping his prom
ise however. the Shah abolished TIE constitution
utterly Then Russia and England protested Thus
encOura ged tire tribssmsn and the CleTla ex-
communicated the Shah from Islam and ordered
holy war against him From that time his down
saIl was swift