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MR. SHUSTER'S SPEECH.

Mr. Shuster's speech at the dinner given in his honor by the Persian Committee struck those who heard it as one of the most memorable pronouncements to which they had ever listened. A complete absence of rancour, a grave simplicity of utterance, a combination of modesty and conviction, a detailed repudiation of the random charges and gossip of Russian officials and journalists, a generous yet discriminating testimony to the capacity and character of the Mejliss made a deep impression on his audience. The tragic folly of his dismissal was intensified as he narrated and explained the steps he had taken to reorganize the finances of the country whose service he had entered. No one who saw and heard Mr. Shuster could doubt that in him Persia had found a man capable of evolving order from chaos, in complete loyalty both to his employers and to the rights and interests of Great Britain and Russia as recorded in the treaty of 1907.

Mr. Shuster, speaking quietly and deliberately, gave an account of his experiences as Treasurer-General of Persia during the past eight months. He made just such a statement of facts as would enable his audience to judge for themselves of the policies pursued towards a powerless country by two powerful Governments, who possess interests in Persia, and have constituted themselves her guardian. After describing the circumstances under which he took up the post of Treasurer-General, Mr. Shuster explained that he arrived in Teheran on May 12th, with three American assistants, and found the finances of the Persian Government in an absolutely chaotic state. Corruption and dishonesty of all kinds were rampant throughout the administrative services, and the desire for

financial reform came not from those whose livelihood and rewards depended upon the maintenance of the same conditions, that is, from the Governors of Provinces, financial agents, and even from members of the Cabinet themselves; it sprang from the Mejliss-an elective body of some 70 members, in whom centred the entire hopes of the Persian people for the sound and rapid establishment of constitutional principles in their country. After two days of discussion with people in every walk of life, especially leading members of the Mejliss, Mr. Shuster informed them that he could not undertake to accomplish any appreciable results in the way of financial regeneration unless he were given full, complete, and even arbitrary control over fiscal matters of all kinds, and it was for the Legislative Assembly to decide whether they could concede this power. The Mejliss promptly decided that this was a necessary step, and requested him to draft a simple basic financial law. This he did, and the law was passed on June 13th, by a practically unanimous vote, all political parties concurring.

Under this law, the Americans set to work to pick up the threads of Persia's tangled finance. Strong opposition to the law was immediately proclaimed by the foreign Legations, except the British, Turkish, and American. The Belgian officials, who were in charge of the Customs department, refused to recognize the law, and in this received the open and notorious support of the Russian Legation. It was only when Mr. Shuster stated that he would put before the Mejliss the cancellation of the contract of the Belgian Customs officials that opposition collapsed, and M Mornard agreed to obey the law. Mr. Shuster then explained the difficulties that arose from his endeavors

to employ Major Stokes to assist him in organizing a Treasury Gendarmerie. The British Foreign Office had only shortly before agreed to Major Stokes being employed for this work, if he resigned his post in the British-Indian Army, a thing he promptly did. Finding Russian opposition to Major Stokes accepting a three years' contract unalterable, Mr. Shuster tried to arrange to secure his services for ten months, but the Russian Legation absolutely refused to withdraw its opposition.

Mr. Shuster next described the confiscation of the estates of Shua-es-Saltenah, the brother of the ex-Shah, both of whom were in arms on Persian soil against the constitutional Government. The Persian Government having notified the Russian and British Legations, no objection having been made, and full assurances given to protect the rights of foreign subjects, the Treasurer-General sent civil officials and a few Treasury gendarmes to seize the properties. Thereupon the Russian Consul-General, Pokhitonow, sent two viceconsuls in uniform with 12 armed Russian cossacks to arrest the Treasury officials, and take them to the Russian Consulate, where their lives were threatened. Mr. Shuster notified the Russian Legation of his intention of re-occupying the property, which he did next day with 100 gendarmes, under two American officers. The Persian Government protested strongly to the Russian Government, with the result that Russia sent an ultimatum, demanding the withdrawal of the Treasury officials, and also a public apology. After much hesitation, and as a result of advice tendered by the British Foreign Office, the Persian Government complied with the humiliating demand. This was followed by a second ultimatum, not only demanding the dismissal of Mr. Shuster, the right to decide on the continuance in Persian service of his 14 American assistants, and the

payment of a large indemnity, but also containing an omnibus clause, under which Russia could claim anything from Persia for past, present, or future actions, and Persia must satisfactorily comply therewith, under a penalty of being held to have violated the ultimatum.

After a careful review of these incidents, continued Mr. Shuster, he concluded either that the Russian and British Governments must have intended to pursue a policy calculated to destroy all hopes of Persia's regeneration and upbuilding through the efforts of the people themselves, or else the two Governments must have been continuously and grossly misinformed as to the course of events. Then, after refuting the charges on which the demand for his dismissal was based, the speaker said that the Mejliss three times refused the second ultimatum, even under conditions of such danger that the arrival of Russian troops was daily expected. After declaring his respect for the patriotic attitude adopted by the Mejliss at the greatest personal risk, Mr. Shuster dwelt on the ability of the Persians to govern themselves. After five years of effort, he said, in which the Persian people, after many trouble and difficulties, had succeeded in repelling a connived attack upon their national independence, they were told that the Persians were incapable of producing a stable and orderly government. This he did not believe. believed they were capable, and in an astonishingly short time a stable and orderly government was being evolved. Mr. Shuster also gave it as his experience that from the time he was there 99 per cent. of the disorder in the Persian Empire was imported. Some people have questioned whether the Persians deserve assistance in their efforts for autonomy. The reply is that there exists among them a body of patriots who, at the

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risk of their lives, champion principles which everyone knows to be sound. However, the Powers decided that as the Mejliss would not sign away their sovereignty as a nation, it should be dissolved by a coup d'état, and all vestige of constitutional government came to an end. The fact that the last elements of representative government of twelve millions of people could be wiped out in a day without one drop of blood being shed was evidence of the temperance and moderation of the Persian people, of which no civilized peo

The Economist.

ple in the world could give an equal proof in the same circumstances.

After a final word in his own defence, Mr. Shuster concluded with the hope that, for the sake of the Persian people, in whom he would always feel the deepest interest, that meeting might be an augury of greater interest on the part of the British public in that little, weak, and war-cursed country, and that Britains will demand for Persians a fair deal in the future, even at the cost of undoing of something that has been done in the past.

I.

THE ALIEN LAUREL.

(Extract from the literary columns of literary judgment. "The Universe.")

In The Pan-English Review there are several contributions of exceptional merit, but we venture to doubt if the editor was well advised in printing "The Lure of Her Lips," a poem by Mr. Williamson Jelfe. It contains some powerful lines, but the subject is, to put it plainly, repulsive, and Mr. Jelfe's treatment does not make it less so. We think Mr. Jelfe would do better to confine himself to the geological studies with which his name has hitherto been honorably connected.

II.

(Extract from an article on "The Month

lies" in "The Cross-Bow.") The poetry this month is not of a very high standard, but from this judgment we must except "The Lure of Her Lips," by Mr. Williamson Jelfe, in The Pan-English Review. This is undoubtedly the most remarkable poem that has appeared for many a long year. It vibrates with passion, and the writer's power of expression is adequate to the strange beauty of his subject.

We do not say that it will please

the nincompoops who direct English It is not addressed to the jeune fille. But for sheer splendid virility it would be difficult to match it in the poetry of this or any age.

III.

(From Mr. Williamson Jelfe to the Editor
of "The Pan-English Review.")
Sir, Words would not be equal to
describing my astonishment at finding
in your issue of this month that I am
credited with the authorship of a poem
entitled "The Lure of Her Lips." I
can only say that I consider it a most
dreadful poem, and I cannot make out
its metre. If I understand the inten-
tion of the author it is to glorify the
most terrible things. I have never
read anything worse anywhere. What
I want to say is that I did not write
it. I could never dream of doing such
a thing, and I must therefore ask you
to insert an immediate apology in The
Times and all the other papers. It is
true that I did submit to you for inser-
tion an article entitled "Palæontologi-
cal Aspects of a Neglected District,"
but that is no excuse for attributing
such a poem to me. Kindly let me
hear from you at once.

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(The Editor of "The Pan-English Review" to Mr. Williamson Jelfe.)

Sir, I own that your letter has surprised me. You deny the authorship of "The Lure of Her Lips," but you will see that the MS. (which I enclose) bears your name-though the address is different. You will remember that I informed you that your contribution was only just in time for insertion in this issue. I regret that in the hurry of the moment no proof was sent to you. The Poem has, I may tell you, created a great sensation and has materially increased the sale of the Review. I enclose a cutting from The Cross-Bow, which will show you how favorably it is being noticed by those who are most competent to judge. It gives me great pleasure to enclose for your acceptance a cheque for £20 in payment for the poem. Kindly acknowledge receipt on the accompanying form.

ས.

(From Mr. Williamson Jelfe to the Editor of "The Pan-English Review.") Sir, I am much obliged for your letter and cheque, receipt for which I enclose. Under the circumstances it will perhaps be better for me to say nothing more about this unfortunate business-though some of my friends may find it hard to understand how I can reconcile the writing of such a poem with the secretaryship of the Palæontological Association. However, they must think what they like. Do you propose to publish my article on "The Paleontological Aspects of a Neglected District"?

Punch.

(From Miss Harrison Bale to her nephew, Williamson Jelfe.)

My dear Nephew,-A little bird has whispered to me that you have added the laurels of a poet to your other distinctions, and I am dying to see the poem which has brought you such fame. Here in Wintervale we see no magazines, but I have sent to my bookseller and have ordered a copy of The Pan-English Review-what a strange

name for a paper! It has always been my ambition that my favorite nephew should shine as an author, for in these days old-fashioned morality requires the defence of everybody who has a heart and a conscience.

Your advice about my last investments has been wonderfully soundand yet they say that poets cannot be business men!

Your affectionate aunt,

VII.

Harrison

(From Mr. Williamson Solfe to the Editor of "The Pan-English Review.")

Sir, I see you have published my poem, "The Lure of Her Lips." Kindly send payment for it to the above address, and be good enough to note that my name is "Solfe," not "Jelfe," as you print it-a very annoying error. A word to that effect in your next issue will oblige. I cannot understand why no proof was sent to me.

Yours faithfully,

Williamson Solfe.

(This correspondence is still continuing,

but we can print no more.)

A CENTENARY MEETING.

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Mainly for want of room, large numbers of Mortimers, Montagues, Hawkes, and heroines had been excluded from the invitation to breakfast, and they hovered in the distance disconsolate.

"Considerin' the Wings of Love, they're late," said Mrs. Gamp, taking her station next the teapot as the first arrival, and drawing a cucumber from her pocket.

"Master Alick and Miss Jane," cried the nurse of the Pocket children, hurrying up, "if you go a-bouncin' up against them bushes, you'll fall over into the river, and be drownded; and what'll your pa say then?"

"I've come as a bandit," observed Mr. Tupman, mildly.

"Lived on a pair of boots-whole fortnight"-cried the hungry Jingle. "Silk umbrella-ivory handle-weekfact-honor-ask Job-knows it."

"My friends," said Mr. Chadband, as they gathered round the table, "What is this we now behold as being spread before us? Refreshment! Do we need refreshment then, my friends? We do. And why do we need refreshment, my friends? Because we are but mortal, because we are but sinful, because we are but of the earth, because we are not of the air. Can we fly, my friends? We cannot."

"Some men," said Harold Skimpole, "want legs of beef and mutton for breakfast; I don't. Give me my peach, my cup of coffee, and my claret; I am content. I don't want them for themselves, but they remind me of the sun.

There's nothing solar about legs of beef and mutton."

"Come, Oliver," said Mr. Bumble, "wipe your eyes on the cuffs of your jacket, and don't cry into your gruel."

Oliver Twist made the request expected of him, and the man in the white waistcoat said he knew that boy would be hung.

"He must be mad," said Mrs. Sowerby.

"It's not madness, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble; "it's meat."

"Meat," said the butcher, "must be humored, not drove."

"Look at them tears," said Mr. Squeers; "there's oiliness! Ah, here's richness!" he added, pouring out milk and water for two trembling pupils. "Think of the many beggars and orphans in the streets that would be glad of this, little boys."

As they all sat down to the table, it was found that Dick Swiveller had already begun. "There's a charm," he said, apologizing; "there's a charm in drawing a potato from its native element (if I may so express it) to which the rich and powerful are strangers."

Catching sight of his son with a glass to his lips, Mr. Weller remarked, "You'd ha' made an uncommon fine oyster, Sammy, if you'd been born in that station of life," and added, "A glass of the inwariable, my dear."

"Cold punch," said Mr. Pickwick. "My dear young friends, all taps is vanities," said Stiggins.

"The soul recoils from food at such a moment," said Mr. Guppy; whereupon Sam Weller told him he looked "as conwivial as a live trout in a lime basket."

But a certain gravity came over all, as they thought of their originator, dead more than forty years.

"Mine was no common loss," said Mrs. Nickleby.

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