The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03
Persia In Ferment.

Teheran. December Persia Ia in
a ferment over the warltkc action OF
Russia. and the excitement in the cap
ital to-day was intense at the news OF
the Russian advance. Placards were
posted proclaiming Death or indie
pendence." both on the walls Of the
city and on the legations Thousands
marched past the legations. To add
TO the excitement two prominent poll
t!cians were assassinated.
Hadii Mohamcd Tasi, a prominent
reactionary. was killed here this morn
ing. Prince Firman Firma. at one
time minister OF justice, was assas-
sinatcd at kasbin. town ninety
miles northwcs. OF Teheran.
Persia's reply to Russia's ultimatum
is calm. 1t gives the reasons for the
rejection of Russia's demands, and
invites the Russian government to
examine into the facts more closely
and then reformulate her demands.
Regarding the charge of anGliclzing
Persia because Of the appointment of
Major Stokes by w. Morgan Shuster.
the American Treasurer General. IL is
claimed that this was not an appoint
ment by Mr.. Shuster, but having been
in the Persian Northern service for
two years, Mr.. Shuster merely trans
ferted him to new post. at Tabriz.
The Treasurer-General has decided
to dispense with the services of
British officials appointed by him in
Northern Persia. with the exception of
one man, who has contract approved
by the National Council. This Is Mr..
Shusters reply to the charge that he
is trying TO anglicize the service. In
an interview to-day he said:
"Sir Edward Grew the British For
eign Secretary. accuses me Of en-
deavoring to anglicize the Persian
service. This Is absolutely false. 1t
is true that ] am seeking here for
employees familiar with modern ac-
counting and with a knowledge of the
Persian language and customs. ! have
found several Britishers who were
available, and also two Belgians, now
In the service. Had any Russians pos
sessing the necessary qualifications
presented themselves l should gladly
have engaged them.
My desire for Major Stokes's SER
vice has been explained. Sir Edward
Grey's baseless accusation against me
of political 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
administration. except the one whose
contract has been approved by the
National Council. We have accord
ingly released Major Stokes from the
promise made under conditions for
nulated by his government and have
revoked the appointment of Lecoffre
at Tabriz. Haycock At Ispahan and
SCHNEIDER at Shiraz."
Shuster's Mother Talks.
Especial to The Times Dispatch.l
Washington. December 2.-IIer eyes
flashing wiki pride at his achieve
ment5 III II Inamber nf tn. Philippine
commissi IN. her voic: tra:nbIIrE viii,
apprehension a. hi, peri. IN Persia
Mrs. Caroline Won Tngen Shuster,
mother Of ". Morgan shuster,
for whose safety tho American gov
eminent has just notified Russia It
will hold her directly responsible. told
tonight of tho terrlbla espionage to
which he has been subjected by the
Car since he left America.
Although she endeavored valiantly,
Mrs. Shuster could not conceal her bit
terness toward the American govern
ment, which has moved so slowly to-
servant.
although he is only thirty-four.r
said Mrs. Shuster, "for tho last eigh.
teen years my son has been In the
service Of the United States govern
ment He has been tried a thousand
times. and II ono thing Is uppermos,
in his character 1t is his honesty.
"If he had been a weakling or he
had pretended to serve Persia while
at the same time botraying his trust
Russia would have lauded his admin
iatration to the skies. The public can
{continucd on Second Paga.S