The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-08-16
PERSIAN PRINCE
RAPs NEWPORT
Homes Too New and Look As L
Occupants Are Not Yet Used
To Living in Them.

NEWPORT, r. l.. Aug. 15.--Not so
many years ago, before Americans
became SO accustomed to the pres
ence of distinguished foreigners, no
man could have visited the United
States who had the high rank OF
Prince Mira RIA Khan of Persia
without being widely written and
talked about. In the case OF the
Prince there Is partial explanation
for his visit to New York
At the Peace Congress held at the
Hague q few years ago, Prince RIA,
who was the personal representative
OF the Shah, met Americans and be-
came so deeply interested In this
us some time in the future. He came
quietly and unanounced, but a long
illness following his arrival compelled
him Il cut his American trip short.
He has sailed for his home.
Prince Ria has heard so much OF
Newport and the famous homes Of
the millionaires there that he decided
to pay that city a visit to see how
the mansions there measured up
with the palaces of Europe.
Owns Four Palaces.
The prince Is a very wealthy man.
He has palace In Monaco, another
In the Caucasus Mountains, third
In Constantinople and a fourth at
experience what a castle or a great
house should be.
He was not overwhelmed by what
he found In Newport. He thought
many of the houses very pretty"
but they struck him as too new and
looking as II their owners had not
yet got used to living In them. Many
Of them, he said. are copies OF old
French chateaux, but in France such
views are surrounded by broad parks
and woods. In Newport they stand SO
near together that the beauty OF
isolation Is lost
He found society people, both men
and women, more interesting than
their houses. The women interested
him greatly and he made many COM
ments on the richness of their dress
and on their manners In public. Some
OF the younger women he thought
very beautiful.
He could not understand their love
OF jewelry and told this story:
When he was at his villa in the
forests OF the Caucasus a few years
ago a peddler presented himself with
some. small semi-precious stones for
sale. Prince Rizu bought one or two
just to help the man along That
night one OF the servants came to
ADO gture and said that the peddler
~ <sxA AZ III -
lfodstng. Prince Rizu felt sorry for
the man, and not only allowed him
to stay about the place until the
rigor OF the winter had gone.
Royal Gem for SO Cents.
The next year. when the Prince
was I'm st. Petersburg as Persian am
bassador, he was told that a shabby
looking man with some precious
craved an audience. II was the same
man, and sgain the Prince bought q
few trifiing gems to aid him. Then
the peddIer sold him large stone
for two francs and a half-50 cents.
The Prince, struck by its beauty, took
Il o famous jeweler, who said that
Il was q priceless ruby of great age.
The peddler had taken this means
of showing his gratitude, and though
Prince Ria made search for the man
to reward him, never heard of him
again.
The Prince wears this ruby In
his necktie for associations sake. To
wear jewels merely for their own
sake he thinks Is rather silly,
especially for young women who have
their own good looks.
The new battleship Delaware was
in Newport harbor during the Princes
visit, and 1t was planned to give him
an inspection OF the vessel. Several
naval officers. took the matter in
hand and Arrangements we're made
to have the Prince taken In the
launch OF the ranking admiral to the
warship where he was to be received
with all the ceremonies due to his
rank. But when fte plans were sub
mittel to Prince Ria for his accept
ance, to the surprise OF everybody.
he declined. 1t was impossible, he
said, for him to visit q warship. His
whole life was devoted to the prin-
ciple OF universal peace. One of his
many titles is that of Prince de Ia
PAX" prince of Peace), and he could
take no part in any naval or military
ceremonies.
Looking at the sailors In the streets
Of Newport, the Prince exclaimed:
mo finer body Of young men can be
found. / wish they were being taught
farming and to- raise healthful, duti-
full children rather than to kill