The Washington herald., 1914-08-16

Aug. l5.-The recent crown.
young Sultan Ahmed Mira
Persia at Teheran provid.
did spectacle, and the youth,
though. exhibiting some shy.
through the ceremony with
90 sOIemn dignity.
Ahmed Mira, who is only eighteen
years old, succeeds to a dark heritage
HIS father. Mohammed Ali. was exile6
after a short reign of misrule, and his
son has now 10 guide the destinies OF
a country deep in debt. which is max
iHg a last desperate struggle for tts
national independence But the new
shah has been carefully trained for his
position. Recently he has assiduously
attended the ca bfnet councils and care
fully studied all the government re-
ports
Court etiquette and Western habits he
has learned from French tutors; Euro
pean military experts have trained him
in military science and how to hold him
self well on horseback. he has gone
through a course of military drill and
fences we'll HIS European professors
have also taught him French and Rus
sian, and instructed him in the elements
OF international law. The long course
OF study has not been wasted on Ahmed
Mira, who Is very intelligent. His ap-
pesrance is not at first glance impress
sive He is short and already very stout,
despite an active life. and he has close
set eyes and a dropping mouth: but there
is determination in his chin ~ a dawn
ing imperioUsness in his manner.
Tried to Evade Rule.
The young Shah did not take kindly to
his position. When he was chosen to sue
coed his father: in 1903, when the latter
Ebdicated and fed the capital, it is re-
ported that he twice attempted flight
from the palace to join his father and
mother. and when his escape was pre-
vented he told his guardians that he
would kill himself. He cried bitterly
when he was taken from the Russian
Legation. where his parents took refuge,
10 be proclaimed by the regent and the
nationalist council but in the intervening
years he has grown reconciled to his des-
tiny.
The Shah drove to the Marble Palace,
where he was awaited by the clergy. the
foreign diplomatic representatives and
members Of the Mejliss. The princes
wore the long white turbans used on
these occasions only many Of them ablaze
with jewels. while the statesmen wore
ieweled shawls. Huge swords were raised
in greeting by the princes and military
ohfcials as the Shah entered. His majesty
slowly assembled richly carpeted steps to
I dais, on which he stood above the heads
Of all those in the hall
Ruler Murmuru Prayer.
Two statesmen placed upon his head
the magnificent crown, glitterinG with
diamonds. pearls. rubies, sapphires, anC
eneralds. and the assembly knelt while
their crowned ruler murmured a prayer
Then the most noble Of the courtiers pro-
claimed the history of the Kajar dynasty
the crown was removed from the Shah's
head. and the members of the brilliant
thronG. with their swords high in the air
shouted Long life to the King Of kings!'
Shah. who throughout the ceremonies
displayed some of his natural shyness
retired later TO the Badghir Palace.
A Reuter- message adds that before the
conclusion of the ceremony the Shah re-
moved the imperial crown and donned
4 turban with the Daria-i-Nur diamond
in the aigrette. This jewel is thought
TO be Identical with the Great Mogul
diamond. When the coronation was com
pSted. the Shah gave audience to the
diplomatic corps in another chamber.
where subsequently the Regent took his
Official farewell OF the diplnmatists. While
awaiting the coronation ceremony. the
Russian Minister had a special audience
Of the Regent. at which lac presented the
laIteT WIN inc OSdl = pUL II all
The Persian Crown.
The Persian crown is made Of pure
gold, encrusted with precious stones and
in accordance with custom q new eTner-
aid OF great size has been added to it,
The Persians declare that the crown is
1900 years old, and belonged to Saladin.
new stone is added at each coronation.
II was formerly the custom for the
crown 10 be suspended by a chain. and
for the Shah TO stand under il. but now
two statesmen place it upon the ruler s
head.
There was high festival at the Persian
Legation in London to celebrate the cPro-
nation. ,Dusky diplomatsts, gorgeous in
the fez, slashed with the greed decoration
of the Lion and the Sun, were received
by his excelleRcy Mira Mehdi Kahn
Mushir-ul-Mulk English professors and
generals known in the East were among
the guests.
I'VE look forward TO a new period of
peace and prosperity in Persia now said
one dIplomatist 1t is a difficult country
70 rule and is placed in difficult and deli
cate diplomatic positions. 1t is too early
to say how the young Shah will deport
himself. He has to come to Europe vet
and to observe European methods But
he is not likely to be disturbed by revO-
luton nor by reaction in favor Of his
father"