The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-19
His Eyes Opened to Difficulties
When He Left New York.
Knew Russia Would Demand
Dismissal by Persia.
HE HAS MADE GOOD
First Six Months Work Has
Been of Value.
England Asked to Back Him,
Holland Says.

New York, Dec. 19.-When the an
nouncement was first made that Pres
! ident Taft and his secretary OF state.
Mr.. Knox, had recommended TO the
Persian government w. Morgan Shus-
ter a man competent both by ex-
perience and by executive capacity 70
reorganize the financial system OF Per
sta, the hrst impression among hnan-
ciers in this city was that Mr.. Shus-
ter would be expected by Persia chiefly
to aid in tempting American capital
to make investment in that nation. II
was a common remark that IL was going
to be a very difficult thing to finance
Persia unless the executive who took
that work in hand was actually spon-
sored by the United States govern
ment as England has sponsored work
of that kind in Egypt.
That would. of course, lead other ma
tions. especially Russia and Great
Britain, to suspect that the United
authority as world power and TO
gain in Persia something of the infiu-
ence which it has secured in Cuba.
His Reputation Is Made.
It was also said said that If Morgan
Shuster were able within the few years
to which his contract with Persia is
limited to institute permanent financial
reforms, to collect taxes and to turn
every dollar collected into the national
treasury, perfect a sufficient system OF
nue. as well. then at the expiration OF
his contract there was no doubt that
he would not be permitted to return TO
Washington or to reopen his law Of
fee. For many tempting offers would
come to him to associate himself with
large financial interests in the United
States.
Whatever may be the fate OF Mr..
Shuster in Persia II is now recognized
in this city that he has accomplished
many things which wholly justify rec
ommenoation of him to Persia by Presi-
dent Taft and Secretary Knox. The
president had personal knowledge OF
Mr.. Shuster's executive and construc-
tive ability, for Shuster served under
Judge Taft at the time Taft was gov
ernor general Of the Philippines.
He Was Not BIindfolded.
Mr. Shuster did not accept the invi-
tation of Persia to go there and help
the new constitutional government
Persia to perfect it's finances with eyes
blindfolded. He was aware before he
left Washington that the better he sue
ceeded in bringing order out Of chaos or
Persian finances and the more certain
the vista seemed to be that he would
be able to place Persia upon a firm nm
ancial foundation the more surely he
would meet with the opposition of some
of the nations that have long been
presumed secretly to hope to acquire
spheres Of influence or authority I'm
Persia.
In other words. Il was discovered that
Mr.. Shuster was real executive and
an able constructive force who would
sufficiently strengthen the weak spot
in Persia-namely. her finances-then he
would be made the center OF attack.
If he were willing to go to Persia AZ
dummy or fgurehead making a super
hcial display of authority, but recOgniz-
ing that the diplomacy Of Russia and
Great Britain had long been concentra-
ted upon Persia and must be carefully
subserved by him, then he would be
work with
cordial approval of Russia and OF Great
Britain.
Within three months after executive
power was given TO him Mr. Shuster -
perfected a strong organization by
means Of which the internal taxes
could be fairly and thoroughly collect
ed no part of them remaining in the
pockets of the tax collectors as had
been the case so long in Persia. He
was speedily reducing the floating debt
and within a year he will. II not inter
fered with. probably wipe that debt
out.
English Merchants Glad.
If the diplomatists Of Great Britain
find il expedient to maintain their al
lance with Russia as far as Persia IL
concerned they VIII do that in spite or
the very great body of merchants or
Great Britain. In the Lancashire district.
the great cotton and textile manufactur-
ing center Of the world, the apparent -
termination to prevent Mr- Shuster from
Persia's internal affairs Is very strongly
antagonized. The merchants OF Ian
cashire have gone far as TO make an
official statement declaring that they are
now thoroughly convinced that the only
possible salvation for Persia lies In tho
assistance which II is now receiving from
experienced and competent Americans.
ike Mr. Shuster and the associates whom
he took with him from the United States.
England Blind to Merchants Piea,
The official statement goes 50 Tar as -