The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1911-12-12
SHUSTER
EXPLAINS
WHY RUSSIA DOES NOT WANT
HIM AT The HEAD OF PER-
Sian FINANCES
RUSSIANS ENTERING CITY

Teheran, Dec. 11.-Persia makes
peace with Russia agreeing to oust
w. Morgan Shuster, the American
Treasurer General.
Teheren, Dec. 11.-Plunging through
a driving snow several inches deep,
| the Cossacks of the N6zarre are en-
| tering this city to force the rejection
OF w. Morgan Shusters the American
Treasurer General of Persia. Behind
them are 1900 of Russian infantry
men. The State Department is watch
ing with interest the climax of the
great drama and the frequent receipt
| OF cipher messages from Minister
| Russell, the American Minister to
| Persia, are regarded with much in
terest.
The Persian and Russian embroz-
liza with which an American Morgan
| Shuster is at the head of Russian
finances is deeply concerned is Great
| ing much interest both here and
abroad.
| Shuster is evidently straight and
| honest anG is showing the crooked
old time diplomats of Russia a thing
/ or two.
| We will let him give an account of
the affair in his own way.
'My attitude is that as I and my
| American assistants have faithfully
i.performed our contracts with the
| Persian Government, whose Legisla-
ture recently gave striking proof of
| their satisfaction and confidence in
us by unanimous public vote, given
in the face of the threatened destruc-
80
mensely superior force, I must in hon.
or continue to abide by their wishes.
| The fact is the present Russian
opposition to our engagement started
before our arrival, and after being
here a week it was freely stated in
1 diplomatic circles we would not be
able to remain two months. "A hostile
stand, therefore was shown by this
power before we could possibly have
offended any foreign interest.
The much discussed Anglo-Russian
Iagreement of 1907, which the Powers
suggested that I, as the Persian Trea-
surer-GeneraI, should recognize, al
though the Persian Government had
officially Informed them she did not
recognize it, is now being openly vio
lated by the Powers themselves.
My plan for the construction OF
railroads by the Persian Government
following the best commercial an6
| economic lines instead Of proposing
lines recognizing the so-called sphere
of influence and strategic points
which Parliament would never do
caused the Powers to oppose me IL
every possible manner. Pretexts art
never lacking, but the ones actually
| chosen are false and absurd.
: Americans are unwilling to serve a:
stalking horses in the Anglo-RussiaI
5 plan to undermine Persian integrity
: have always recognized all legiti
: mate foreign interests, having mad
! careful study Of the recent politi
cal history of Persia, including thu
Anglo Russian agreement and contem
: poraneous official correspondence. Th
truth is the Powers wish to say on
$ thing to the world and to Persia
D while official not subscribing this pla1
: is regarded as an enemy of their in
terestS.
v I have frequently challenged critic
t to show single act of mine in viola
S tion of legitimate Anglo-Russian in
S terests My principal fault in thei
z eyes is a bonafide, effort to build u
Persian finances and loyalty to tn
constituted Government.
: Russia daily informs the Power
i that she has no designs on Persia
n I independence and integrity; there
( fore her army of 1000 men is actua
) ly marching on Teheran, directe
S solely toward the forcible expulsio
r of eleven American citizens now sa
isfactori1y serving a friendly sove
d eign nation.
e Russia has not declared war, a
!; is provided in The Hague conVentio
= and a prominent promoter. Her NOV
therefortSs constitutes wanton az
of hostility against American citizen
enjoying the rights and protectio
accorded to them by friendly Stat'
r recognized. today as sovereign b
l. America, Russia, England and othe
= Powers having their legations her
>. This plain violation of information
i al law really constitutes raidin
a. party.
r Naturally, Russia's sending of
o large armed force here to exp,
N Americans constitutes a virtual inv
Z tation to numerous bad character
SC from the Caucasus to do them bodil
o- harm, in the belief justified or no
d that they would thereby regain tt
10 favor and protection of their Cover
l. ment.
w. MORGAN SHUSTER