The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-04-29
SHAFTS TURN NEXT.

me sultan OF turkey having been
pushed aside I'm order that the Ottoman
empire may enjoy western civilization,
all eyes are now turned in the direction
Of the shah of Persia. another follower
Of Mahomet who is attempting to
block the path of progress. There is a
Sheik-ul- islam in Persia as well as in
Turkey and if the present monarch OF
the ancient empire can be dethroned
be lost by the head of the church in
that country in proclaiming his success
sor-
The shah has been endured far be-
yond his deserts. A Russian expedition
has been sent, with the consent Of
Great Britain. to restore order at Ia
brz, which has been in a state Of siege
for some time. but no permanent good
is likely 70 result so long as the shah
declines to abide by the constitution
recently given TO the people. The ma
tionalists OF Persia, like the Young
Turks, are fighting for liberty and a
government of the people, and an ap-
peal has been made to the civilized
world to give a moment of thought to
the condition Of the oppressed PeTsians;
consider our pathetic existence, be the
judge between US and the despot whose
sole aim is to impose excessive burdens
upon US. to crush US, and to drain our
resources. Take into consideration our
sufferings, We pray you; try to point
out to us the means which viii free US
from their cruel clutches"
Sad indeed is the lot Of the Persians
making this appeal Innocent children
are murdered and bestial practices are
common. Yet there is no redress under
the absolute and despOtic sway of the
shah. This monster has not only for
feited his crown, but also his life. a
thousand times over. This cry from the
Orient should not fall on deaf ears in
the Occident. Down with the tyrant at
Teheran.
There are about 100000 people in
Persia. and many races are represent
ed. Iranian. Turkish, Kurd. Arabic, Ar
menian and Hebrew. They are chiefly
engaged in agricultural and pastoral
pursuits. though the manufacture Of
silk. wooden and cotton fabrics is car
RED on to come extent. But a large
part of the population is nomadic. and
robberies and instructions are fire.
quent. The country was conquered by
the Arabs in the middle of the seventh
century, the Persians of that day. sunk
in luxury and vice, being unable to
make a stand against the fierce war
riors Of the desert. But after embrac-
ing Islamism the Persians proved a
bane to their conquerors and the sue
cessors OF Abu Beker, Omar and Ali
lost the courage Of the early followers
of the prophet through overindulgence
in the vices prevalent in the conquered
empire.
Prior to the invasion Of the Arabian
hordes Persian monarchs at various
times were supreme, and their names
shine in the pages Of history. both sa-
cred and profane Cyrus. Darius,
Xerxes and ATtaxerxes coming first and
foremost. But the glory OF their
achievements Is only a memory and the
Persians of today were not cast in
heroic mold. Yet there are signs of re-
generation and the fight OF the nation
alists for a constitutional form of gov
If not in this generation, the next. The
shah belongs TO the middle ages. when
might made right and all laws. human
and divine. were trampled under foot
by the rulers. The twentieth century is
entitled to better government and the
sympathy Of all civilized peoples should
go out to the struggling Persians who
close their appeal by stating what they
hope TO accomplish If all goes well and
the people triumph.
With a king devoted to his people
we should be able to regulate our gov
eminent, draw it out Of the depths of
anarchy, of desperate tyranny, where il
now is. by organizing il under the form
of a large decentralization and of sepa-
ration of powers. having responsible
governmental ministers and a wide
repres ''on in parliamentary af-
IA Is. then our country will follow
with aH its strength in the worlds
march along the road of enlightenment
and Of progress. Kidding Itself from al
the miseries which are overwhelming
it today and from the Unwarrantable
interference Of certain other nations
If ever interference were justified.
Persia at this moment presents a case
for the consideration of civilized coun-
tries
Beach Hargis goes up for life for
killing his father. The old man de-
served death. but the son had no com