RIGA KHAN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 August 1926, Page 11

RIGA KHAN

T> IZA KHAN, the Cossack trooper, who lias made himself the new Shah of Persia, is the subject of a graphic little article by Sir T. ComynPlatt, in the National Review. Thus far he lias calmly succeeded to the throne, and quietly rules, but a difficult and stormy reign lies before him. Teheran enjoyed the coronation in a lazy, dignified way, relaxing with due solemnity the Prophet’s ruling on drink.

"And the centre of this peaceful disturbance. Riza Khan, the Shah-elect, ivliat of him?" says Sir T. ComvnPlatt. "He is a remarkable man; there is no gainsaying that. Born the son of an ostler,- ‘ami a poor one at that,’ in an outlying province, his ambition and energy made him a leader in a land of fatalism, and the idleness that serves it as a creed. At an early ago he left the paternal stable, and entered, the Shah’s regiment of Cossacks." He was a keen soldier, and promotion came quick to him. He saw

TROOPER WHO BECAME A SHAH

I service in various punitive expeditions against unruly tribes, always acquitting himself with distinction, until at last he reached the top of the military ladder, and .finally was appointed. Minister for War under the ex-Shah. “The Royal master preferred Paris,” says Sir T. Comyn-Piatt, ‘ ‘ and even in Persia it proved possible for the state of the realm to become worse. The tribes became more unruly, disorder and poverty 'became more widespread and intolerable. Riza .Khan was always a patriot, and still more extraordinary, in ■ a land where fatalism and egotism arc the general rule, he firmly believed that, wisely directed, Persia could again become a great and powerful nation. And so he bent his energies, and directed his thoughts and actions.” The moment came when it proved possible to notify the ex-Shalr that liis return was not desired. That monarch accepted his “notice” more contentedly in that lie had taken the precaution to carry with him most of the Persian crown jewels, valued bv Lord Curzon at £3,000,000.

Riza’s; ascendancy was aided by his personal appearance. “Tall—he is considerably over six feet, and broad in proportion —he, seems to .tower over all who come near him, a physical advantage very valuable in the East, where stature counts for so much; added to which he carries himself well. There is no shuffling in his gait; sitting or standing lie never loses a fraction of his height. . Of a dark completion, his features are ordinary. Indeed, in a crowd, but for his height, he would never be noticed at all, except that perhaps one might ask as to who was the man with the curious eyes.” One of the new monarch’s amiable characteristics is his love of children. He remains simple in his tastes, living still in liis own home, which is but a “hideous over-grown villa, ’ ’ preferable, however, to the Shah’s palace.