The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-06-27
AMERICANS FINANCE PERSIA

| dispatch in yesterday morning S
| Tribune from Teheran, Persia, might
not strike the reader as Of any very
great Importance, but is of the high
est. 1t was brief and in no way sen.
| sational. 1t stated that "The Ma
tional Council. by an almost unani-
nous vote, has sanctioned the engage
ment of American financial experts -
| That was all. But how tremend ousy
significant 1t is!
1t was stated some months ago that
Persia was desirous of employing ex-
pert and disinterested financial advice
with respect to the imposing of taxes
and the best methods Of obtaining
revenue, and also on the honest ex-
pendituTe of that revenue 1t was
impossible for Persia to obtain such
advice from Europe, on account of the
.iealousies and antagonisms of the diff
fereut nations there. Great Britain
was out of the question, because
Great Britain had practically invaded
and taken, control Of southern Persia
Russia was equally out of the ques-
tion. because Russia has practically
taken possession Of, and is dominant
in. northern Persia. Germans could
not be taken, because Germany is in
part of Persian territory on railroad
questions. France was out of the
question, because of the jealousies of
other powers, and her entanglements
by treaty with them, And so Persia
almost the Oldest existing nation upon
earth, comes TO the United States
which is the newest great nation, to
get help in her finances.
Americans have great repute for
financial shrewdness and administra-
tive ability. The way was easy for
Persia to seek advantage of that abil-
ity and astuteness. Five Americans
were wanted, one of them to he Sill
premc in direction, and who was to
have practically unlimited control. The
choice made by Persia was of William
M. Shuster of Washington, ID. c., for
the first place. MIR Shuster was for.
merly Collector OF Customs at Manila.
y. l., and was also a member of the
Philippine Commission. President
Tart recommended him to the Persian
government as a man who could re-
the finances of that nation,
and who would do so on the best mod.
ern lines, and with unquestioned iuteg-
rity. The Persian Minister reported
the recommendation, and Mr.. Shuster
was accordingly employed. The Ma
tionaI Council had already decreed
that the American supervisor of rcvo-
nue. and expenditures for Persia
should have "absolute control of
every department of finances, incud.
ng the collection and disbursement of
all revenues in the custody of the
treasury So revolutionary was this
transfer that upon its being au-
nounced and the arrival of Mr.. Shustcr
n Ieheran ascertained, the Prime
fled between two days, the {
being that he is a heavY
embeSzler, who feared exposure and
probable punishment for his misdeeds
The finances of Persia have been in
he worst possible condition, threaten =
"H'i'Nhg, ipi Gpou Wullc. Dc
fact that vigorous move is being
made to put the national finances in
good condition shows ii vitality of en-
,rgy and progress in that country that
peaks well for It's future. The imam
nal question is the main one iU Persia
III the time. With the finances in
rood order it would not take Persia '
ong to get rid Of the Britous on the
outh and the Russians on the north.
DR. Shuster has great opportunity TO
10 splendid and spectacular work. II
s to be hoped that he and his four
\ AruSrican assistants will be able to do
ueh work IN Persia as will rebound to
heir own credit personally, and be an