The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-12

gan Shuster. At "a or thereabouts he
was commissioned to reorganize the
finances of that empire, which is one of
the Oldest in the world and which once
was one of the greatest. As business
manager of Persia Shuster became a
world figure in a day. Success In his un-
dertaking meant check to the plans of
Russia. Germany, France and England
in the exploitation and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
not assign him to sea duty. In despera-
1t was unthinkabe that a plain Ameri-
can, with nothing but reputation of
unusual business ability, should bring
order out of the frightful tangle into
which Persia had become involved
through decade after decade of bad gov
eminent and disorder. The whole scheme
of things in western Asia would be up
set If order and system should replace
the fraud and confusion on which tho
schemng powers planned to put through
their pet designs. Asia is too big and
rich field for Europe to permit any
outsider to introduce latter day methods
of economy. Germany demanded that
Shuster depart So did England. So did
France. Russia not only demanded, but
threatened force. Four of the great ma
tons of the earth combined to overthrow
one American, and he mild marnered
youth still IN his 30s To demands and
tHItdts 6nuSter was allke unmln1Inl. lie
was under engagement to the Shah. So
long as the shah retained him he wouhl
remain. The army of Russia swept down
from the north. Not until it was o., the
Persian border did the Shah yield. then,
to save his country from invasion ,.e de-
cided to yield to force. The young AMER
lean who had the chanceries OF Europe
in turmoil thereupon packed up his be-
longings and departed for his native
land.
The centenary of the battle Of Lake
Erie has just been celebrated The
American who won that victory was lit
tie more than a boy. In its effect that
battle was one of the most important
in history. 1t gave to America command
of the Great Lakes and restored Michi-
gan and what wa sthen the northwest to
the United States. Before the battle of
Lake Erie Oliver Hazard Perry was in
disfavor. He had lost ship, the Re-
venge. on reef near Watch Hill, r. l.,
and although acquitted of neglect or
carelessness the navy department would
ont assign him to sea duty In desperu-
tion he offered his services to Commodore
Chauncey, who had command Of such
poor vessels as bore the Stars and Stripes
on the lakes How Perry built his ships
at Erie, how he fought the British SQUAD
ron of Barclay near Put-in-Bay, how
he won, and his historic message, I'VE
have met the enemy and they are ours"
are known to all. He was only % when
he rose in one day from obscurity to the
list of Americas immortals.
And as an example of boy soldiers,
what Is more astonishing than the case
of Galusha Pennypacker. who entered
the Union army before he was II years
old and was a major general before he
was 81?
He was the youngest general officer OF
the Civil war ane one Of the most gal
liant. He took part in the engagements
of Forts Wagner and Gregg, James Is
land, the siege of Charleston. the capture
Of Fort Pulaski and the taking Of Fer
nandina and Jacksonville. He Joined the
Army of the James In Virginia in 1864
and was in the battles Of Drury's Blur.
Chester Station and Green Plains He
was successful in the general assault on
Fort Fisher and a medal of honor was.
voted to him for distinguished bra very
in battle"
Few know of this modest man now, but
he is the only American who, before hei
was p years old. commanded an army
corps.