The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-13
Sultan Trying to Sell Throne,
Proving He Is in Des-
perate Straits.
BY la MARauIsE DIE roxTENoY.

% la NfattQ n.
.WTHEN monarchs star, in to sell
sceptres and their thrones,
they may be safely regarded as with
In measurable distance OF tho end Of
the tether OF their dynasty. This
has already been shown in the case
OF the reigninE houses OF Braganza.
in Portugal. and of Obrenovitch, in
Servia. And now we hear of Sultan
Mchmed endeavoring TO raise the fin
anclal wind by means of that wonder
full throne of Shah lsmail which
formed part OF the blunder OF Sultan
Seltm /. when he overram Persia, In
1914. Ever since his days this throne
OF the Persian shahs mas been pre-
served at Constantinople In the trea-
sury of the old Scragl!o. to which 80
few foreigners have ever been accorded
access.
1t is in the form of a iivan. covered
with haldeguin or canopy. the posts
of which, as we'll as the throne Itself
being of pure gold literally studded
with magnificent but badly cut jewels.
The intrinsic value of the entire af-
fair is estimated at some s15.O000o0
and if the transaction has not been
completed ii is because the Sultan
loan. whereas the people with whom
he Is dealing insist on purchasing it
outright.
The throne has occasionally been
used during the last century on very
great ceremonial occasions, hut docs
not strictly form part and parcel of
the Turkish imperial insignia, which
consists of the scimetar. the bow. the
staff. the standard, and above all the
mantle of the Prophet Mahomct
The four corners of the canopy over
the throne are adorned with huge
solid gold balls from hich are sus-
pended golden crescents and fastened
thereto horsetails.
Formerly the sultans were wont TO
receive foreign ENJOYS seated on this
throne But the diplomats were not
permitted TO approach X beyond Il
certain distance. In fact, there was a
sort OF golden griii-work between
them and the monarch. something like
the wire cag'ing which separates
prisoners from their visitors in peni-
tentiaries. Ny readers may determine
for themselves whether this golden
barrier at the old ScraElio was de-
harm or HIS throne from secrctivc
spoiiation OF its gems by the repre-
sentatives Of the foreign powers ad-
mittcd TO his presence.
Now that the way has been paved
towards reconciliation between the
Guelphs and the Hohenzollerns by the
engagement of Prince Ernest Augustus
Of Brunswick and Great Britain, to
the only daughter OF the Kaiser. II
may be timely to place on record A
high handed act of whioh Prince Bis
marck rendered himself guilty in 1855
unbeknown to old Emperor William
and which was mainly responsible for
the feud that ensued between these
two great European dynastes
Old Empcro: William and tho last
King OF Hanover were not only first
cousins, their respective mothers hav-
ing been sisters. bug had moreover
been intimate friends from early boy
hood. King George of Hanover having
been born and brought up at Berlin
In 1866 King George, on the advice of
his ministers. sided with Austria
against Prussia, and WAS defeated by
the Prussians In the battle OF Ian
gensalza, where the blind monarch.
on the battlefield, presented IL most
pathetic spectacle, recalling the blind
King John OF Bohemia. at the battle
of Crecy in 1876. on reaching Vienna.
George addressed a letter to the King
of Prussia couched in the most affec-
Tomato and yet dignincd terms paving
the way to an understanding. II
commenced with the words MY Dear
William,-The fortunes of war have
decided against me. But TO nave been
defeated by you is in my eyes no dis
honor"
The letter was dispatched TO Nikols-
burg, where William. then only King
OF Prussia. had established his head
quarters after his victory over tho