KING AMANULLA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 March 1928, Page 11

KING AMANULLA

K IN . G Amamilla, of Afghanistan, ar- / rived in London in the course of the world tour whic-h he commenced some time ago. Paris maintained to the full her tradition of stately hospitality in welcoming trie King and Queen of Afghanistan as the guests of the Republic, and it seems that Eng- ( land will not he in any way behind 1 her neighbouring State, judging by j London’s reception. Annum,la is now | in the third month of his remarkable xoyage of exploration, the first of his dynasty to cross the seas since Afghanistan, freed irom the dominion o> Mogul and- Persian conquerors, took its separate place among the kingdoms of the world a hundred and eighty years ago. The King, when he took possession of the throne and proclaimed the complete independence of his country after the assassination of Hanibullah in 1919, gave proof of the vigour and resolution needed in the government of the Afghan people. He soon showed that he had other qualities not hitherto conspicuous in the record ol his house, and in eight years he has made many changes. By a treaty concluded with England in 1921 he established peace on the basis of British recognition of his country’s complete political ,sovereignty, and thus put an end to the long history of uneasy relations vtfbirh have thrice flamed up in war. A keen observer of the signs of the times, he has read the lesson <>■' the rise of the new Japan, and he set not to bring Afghanistan into line with the civilisation which he sees every-

A MODERN MONARCH

where dominant. He has already accomplished enough to show that he has the resolute spirit of innovation which is making the East a changed land. King Amanulla has now gone to the West to see with Ills own eyes what Europe has to show that is worthy of adoption of adaptation bv his own country. He has shown that he is piepared to accept Occidential culture as a whole, and he has already formed a verv clear conclusion as to which portions will prove acceptable, to his people. He has gone to Europe to learn and to judge for himself. _ But he also has another purpose in view. He desires to show that Afghanistan is not an uncivilised country, but one which is determined to occupy its rightful place in the world’s affairs. King Amanulla has substitunted for the absolute despotism which previously existed in Afghanistan the elements of parliamentary government. He has given his country a reformed judicai system, and he has built up a wel - trained armv on the European model, with modern equipment. Blaus have teen drawn up for a new capital, a fine citv along Western lines, and he has doiic many other things which will serve to place Afghanistan among the chief nations of the world, including the emancipation of women and the o-eneral education of the peop,e. A ruler with so impressive a record of practical performance in the held o f'.r.o • go. eminent cannot help but make "a big appeal to the British people, and of that King Amanulla and his consort. Queen Souraya, have already received ample evidence.