INDIAN FRONTIER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 193, 9 May 1908, Page 5

INDIAN FRONTIER.

TOE AMEER. NOT ALTOGETHER A FREE AGENT. LADY DOCTOR'S VIEW. BY TELEGRAPIX —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHTLondon, May 7. Dr. Winter, tho Ameer's lady doctor, interviewed in London, explains that Habibullah is distinctly friendly to tho English, but is unable to strongly repress tribesmen who display anti-English proclivities, owing to plots against him by his brother Nasrullah. Dr. Winter is confident that the Ameer absolutely favours tho Anglo-Russian agreement, but lie did not sign it owing to outsido pressure. MUTUAL WITHDRAWAL. (Ree. May 8, 10.55 p.m.) Calcutta, May 8. The withdrawal of tho Afghan Mullahs from the Bordor districts is ascribed to the Ameer's influence. ' "ho withdrawal of the British forces from the Khaibar, is due to a decision of the Indian Government. A DELICATE POSITION. It is generally admitted that Habibullah Ameer is compelled constantly to keep his eye oil threo danger-points—the covert hostility "of his brother Nasrullah, the fanatical, influence of tho Mullahs, and the raiding propensities of the frontier tribes. Ilis father, Abdur-Rahman, was probably a stronger ruler, but even ho had to make concessions to tho Mullahs, to ignorance, and to tho anti-foreign feeling. In his biography, Abdur-Rahman has written:—"l was unable to show my friendship publicly to the extent that was necessary, because my people were ignorant and fanatical. If I showed any- inclinatioh towards the English, my peoplo would call me an infidel, and proclaim a religious war'against, me." When the present Ameer returned from Indin,' he liad ■ somo' trouble to allay misgivings in Afghanistan as to how far ho had compromised himself with tlie , infidel.' The Anglo-Russian Convention was expected to bo a further test of the delicate relations between Kabul and the Indian Government, from whom tho Ameer, has a subsidy of 18 lnkhs (,£120,000) per annum; By the treaty of 1893, confirmed" in 1905, tho Ameer accepts the advice of tho British Government in regard to his relations with foreign Towers, and is guaranteed against unprovoked aggression on his dominions.'