The Washington herald., 1909-05-03

Of the representative Of the Shah. the
president introduced the grand vizier.
Spoke from Manuscript.
lie arose in some seeming trepidation
and bowed 20 the right and left in ac-
knowledgment Of the applause that greet
ed him. and turning to his individual
host, he spoke a few words in French.
to which the response came audibly;
Speak in English, please, your excel
lency.
u spek ze English vair bad said
Mira Ali Asker, Khan. but my secretair
he hav prepare a few remarks witch !
viii read.
.sThereupon he drew from the folds OF
his robe a manuscript, and. very delioer-
ately. in broken English. began 10 read
He had spoken but few words when
discordant note in his address became
generally apparent He HsSziled Eng
land. charging her with policy OF con-
guest. Fortunately. the British Ambassa-
dor was not present. But moment later
he turned from England 70 Germany, and
IN scathing terms made a kindred ar
raignment OF that empire. As he spoke
he faced Baron SternbUrg. who was pale
and nervous and clearly perturbed-
ITO all within the banquet hall II
seemed that an international episode
fraught with significance and possible
mischief was impending
At this tense juncture club member
arose and interrupted the grand vizier
mildly protesting against the drift Of his
remarks and calling attention TO the fac
that representatives OF other countries
were present
" Sit down shouted the grand vizier'
personal escort. accompanied by similar
expOstuIation by others against the inter
ruption. and this club member took hi'
I seat In confusion.
/ The grand vizier proceeded. but di'
not modify his remarks On the con
trary. he emphasized them
Again he was interrupted by the SAINT
/ club member, who this time almost pas
/ slonately protested against a breach o
the clubs rules
d" Z protest against these Interruptions.
/ retorted the other club member. ssvagely
Left the Hall in n Rage.
The situation was critical No on
knew what to make Of il. The member
Of the club themselves were all but DUN
founded by the spectacle It remained 70
the grand vizier 10 bring the scene to
climax. Turning 10 his escort, he said
Indignantly:
- DO not understand. 7 viii not speak.
And thereUpon he strode haughtily an
majesticaIIy from the room. followed b
! his escort. the club member, appealing Z
him to return.
He had barely vanished when a mem
! her Of the club, addressing the chair, eX
/ pressed the deepest regret over the IN
/ fortunate occurrence, and begged that n
member Of the club or guest would so IA
4 forget himself as ever 10 mention the epl
sode outside the banquet hall.
o. This unfortunate matter viii be prop
eriy dealt with by the executive commit
tee said the president Of the club. strik
ing hard with his gsvel % give vigOr {
his words
The sound Of the gavel had hardl
died away before the grand vizier re
entered the banquet room on the arm o
/ his escort, who. when they had reache
the center Of the room. announced:
Mr.. President, the grand vizier Ia
reconsidered. and viii finish his speech
The picturesque potentate, who ha
precipitated q situation more embarrass
Ing than had ever before occurred in tn
/ annals OF the club. thereupOn, in NOS
dramatic way. resumed his speech wher
ne had left of. saying:
I haf told you Of England I Ia
told YOU Of Germany We now come {
France. witch eez ze vair worst OF all
--Pausing mOmentarily and eyeins th
awed assemblage. with his right hand u
removed his fez and with his left pulie
of his dropping mustache. and ther
stood revealeG-not Mira Ali Asker
Khan. the grand vizier Of Persia, but
weil-knOwn member Of the GridiTon Clut
whose talents suited him 70 such stunt
and who has since. IL may be added
served the administration al the head Q
an important bureau.
Taft in the Secret.
But where did William Howard Taft
actual participation in this episode com
in. you ask? Why. the big. good-nature
Ohioan had been taken into the confdenC
OF the few. club members who conceive
land were executing the hoax. and It wa
his cordial greeting 10 the bogus poter
tate that gave added realism 10 the Who'll
thing and served so completely to foC
Aldrich. German, Cannon. Grosvenor. tn
young Senator, Baron Sternburg, an
Others
with the denouement-so wholly VI
expected TO three-fourths Of those pres
ent, including that percentage Of the clu
iitself-the dinner absolutely went {
pieces for ten minutes. until the banquet
ers had taken a few long breaths, a fe7
Eulps Of champagne, and recovered thei
lcompOsure-
The most amused man Of all was Mar
Gus A. Hanna. who. though then in
cold perspiration and with the stamp c
death already upon him, said he ha
never enjoyed anything in his lie quit
so much. and that he felt better for hsy
ing come. Next 10 Hanna. no doubt Tat
rad more hearty chUckles over the thing
As for Roosevelt-well Roosevelt Is prei
~ keen. and he detected the hoax befor
it was half over, and. therefore. was nc
one Of the three-fOuTths who fell fo
. 4 -r-1r--frse1