Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-03
England Reverses Position on
Russia's Persian Course.
cABLEGRAM SENT TO CAR
British Foreign Office Urges Emperor
to Modify His Ultimatum.
SHAFTS COUNTRY IN FERMENT
Two More Politicians Assassinated.
State Department Faces EN-
barrassment in Case.
Special CabIegram to The Star.

Epeeial CabIegram to The Star.
LONDON, December 2.-The British
foreign Office sent long dispatch to the
Russian government urging the czar to
modify his ultimatum to Persia. This
move is a complete reversal in England's s
position. as the government yesterday
cabled the Persian government to accept
the demands contained in Russia's ulti-
matum England. it is understood, de-
sires to retain the good will and friend
ship of the American people at large and
fears that the American public will show
resentment il it is decided that Shuster
IS not getting square DEAL
The opinion prevails in official circles
that the car will consent to modify his
ultimatum as England is Russia's most
powerful ally in the entente.
Russian Papers Urge Action.
ST. PETERSBURG, December 2.-The
reply of the Persian government to the
ultimatum sent by the czar in the Shuster
case has not yet been made public here.
1t is understood, however. that the reply
rejects the Russian demands, although
the Persian government intimates its
readiness to give reasonable satisfaction
Persia also asks that some time be grant
ed in which to formulate proposals and
that meanwhile the Russian forces at
Resht should not be permitted to ad-
vance beyond kasbin.
The newspapers of st. Petersburg urge
preciptate action and take the occupa-
tion Of Teheran by the Russian troops as
granted.
All Persia in Ferment.
TEHERAN, December Persia is in a
ferment over the warlike action of Rus
sia, and the excitement in the capital to-
day was intense at the news of the Rus
sian advance. Piacards were posted pro-
claiming death or independence, both
on the walls Of the city and on the lega-
tions Thousands of persons formed in
procession and marched past the iega-
lions.
To add to the excitement two prominent
politicians We're assassinated. Hadu Moh-
mad Tagi. a prominent reactionary. was
killed in the capital this morning Prince
Jfrman Firma, at one time minister OF
justice and subsequently governor OF the
province OF Azerbaijan. was assassinated
at Kasbin, town ninety miles northwest
Persia's reply to Russia:s ultimatum is
calm. It gives the reasons for the rejec-
.ion of Russia's demands. and invites the
Russian government to examine into the
facts more closely and then retormuia1e
her demands.
Messages from the provinces assure the
Persian government of unlilhited sup
port. general boycott on Russian
goods has commenced. and the people are
preventing the use of the Russian tram
way NJ Lecoffre, whose appointment
was employed as an argument against w.
Morgan Shuster, the American treasurer
general, was not appointed by Mr. Shus-
ter, but has been In the Persian north
fnr fwn
merely transferred him to new post, at
TabriZ
Shuster Refutes Charges.
The treasurer-general has decided to
dispense with the services Of British Of
fcials appointed by him in northern
Persia, with the exception of one man.
who has a contract approved by the ma
tonal council. This is Mr.. Shuster's re-
ply to the charge that he is trying to
Angiicize the service. In an interview
today he said:
.'Sr Edward Grey. the British foreign
secretary. accuses me of endeayoring to
Anglicize the Persian service This is
absolutely false. 1t is true that / am
seeking here for employees familiar with
modern accounting, and with a knOwl-
edge of the Persian language and GUS
toms. / have found several Britishers
who are available. and also two Belgians
now in the service. Had any Russians
possessing the necessary qualifications
presented themselves L should gladly
have engaged them
MY desire for Mai Stokes services
has been explained. Sir Edward Grey's
baseless accusation against me OF po-
1itical bias, and the attitude of the two
powers now oblige me in the interest OF
Persia to dispense with the service of
Britishers In the revenue administra-
tion, except the one whose contract has
been approved by the national council.
We haze accordingly released Maj.
stokes rom the promise made under
conditions formula ted by his govern
,ment, and have revoked the appoint
ment of Lecoffre at Tabriz, Haycock at
Ispahan and SCHNEIDER at Shiraz
May Embarrass State Department.
It fs evident the State Department
officials are threatened with considera-
ble embarrassment in dealing with this
case Already a popular agitation has
begun, not only in America but also in
England, in Mr.. Shusters interest,": but
whereas in this country the motive Is
desire to protect the individual from
mistroatment. in England the aSita
tion is furthered by a considerable al
truistic element which feels that Great
Britain Is morally bound To respect the
ind 0v.An svxAD