AFGHANISTAN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1928, Page 11

AFGHANISTAN

SPECIALLY WRITTEN FOR THE “STAR”

POLITICAL Events in Afghanistan have taken a rather sensational turn following- upon the initiation of far-reaching-reforms by the King, Amanullah, inspired no doubt by his recent tour when he visited England, Russia, and Turkey. In re-organis-ing his state he has taken Mustapha Kemal, the dictator of modern Turkey as his model and after his return hardly a month passed without some new reform being instituted. Among these have been the denouncing of polygamy, the extension of the term of compulsory military service from two to three years, the creation of a national assembly to be selected from members of the Grand Council and to hold office for three years. Education has been made compulsory in the towns and practically free. Sumptuary laws have been passed limiting the retinues of officials, abolishing ceremonial uniform and dress and replacing the black standard of earlier Afghan rulers with a new and somewhat elaborate flag. Schemes have been under consideration for reforming the judiciary and for the founding of a national bank. In his work of instituting reforms King Amanullah has been Avell supported by Queen Surayya, whose appearance unveiled at a state banquet created a precedent and offended ageold convention and the susceptibilities of some of the Moslem divines. The King’s proposal to abolish the veil aroused so much indignation that he was obliged to. leave it alone as far as some of the conservative provinces AV.ere concerned. Many other of his reforms roused much opposition and generally the revolt is ascribed to the King’s insistence of them. Afghanistan is a Moslem country where the priests have much influence but unlike Turkey the people are not a disciplined race. The tribesmen are turbulent, independent, warlike people, quick to resent any interference with what they consider their rights and privileges. Among the border tribes the ullahs or priests look upon themselves as the rightful leaders of the people, and although often uneducated religious zealots resent any incL-ea.se in the prestige and power of the monarchy. These then, are some of the factors in the present upheaval.

AFGHANISTAN’S IMPORTANCE TO INDIA

As the doorway to' India, Afghanistan was more than a passing object of interest to Imperial Russia, as modern British history shows, while Soviet Russia, though for a different purpose is also greatly interested in this buffer state. WhetheiY-the red hand of Russian Communism is stirring up the flames of revolt, is still a matter for conjecture, although the possibility of it was suggested in the cable messages the other day. As already suggested, Afghanistan is of great importance in the defence of Indian frontiers. The long- stretch of the Hindu Kush system, which is the backbone of Afghanistan, may .be regarded as the backbone of India’s defence. This native state has always been regarded geographically and politically as the buffer between India and the rest of Asia, but there are a few passes through which from earliest times India’s invaders have poured. It is, and has always been, an essential part of Indian policy, that the independence of Afghanistan should be maintained as a friendty ally and these passes are closely watched. . WARS WITH BRITAIN. Britain's relations tvifh Afghanistan go back as far as 1807. The.peace of Tilsit, signed that year between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander of Russia raised fears in England as to a FrancoRussian advance in India through Persia and Afghanistan. British envoys Avere sent and concluded defensive alliances Avith these two states, but the ti-eaty Avith Afghanistan collapsed in 1818, Avhen the treacherous murder of the Minister, Fallch Khan, led to the dethronement of Dost Mohammed, a son of the murdered Minister to the vacancy. Not many years later Britain again feared that Russia had designs on India and in 1837 a Russian envoy Avas received at Kabul by Dost, avlio Avould haA r e preferred to be friendly with Great Britain, but only on the condition that PeshAvar should be restored to Afghanistan.

REFORMS AND REVOLUTION

BRITAIN’S WARS WITH BUFFER STATE

SERIES OF DISASTERS. Noav began a rather disastrous period for the British in this turbulent state. In order to establish Avhat Avas called the independence and integrity of Afghanistan, it Avas decided in 1838 that the deposed Shah Shuga should be reinstated and Dost Mohammed Avas to be deposed. An army of 14,000 invaded Afghanistan. Dost fled and Shuga Avas enthroned as an ally of Britain and Avas provided AA'ith 10,000 troops to support him.. Three years later serious trouble occurred. The British eirvoy elect, Sir Alexander Burnes, Avas slain in NoA'ember, 1841, #and his successor, Sir William Macnaghten, Avas also murdered. The garrison at Kabul, consisting- of over 4000 men and 12,000 camp folloAVors, Avas compelled to AvithdraAV. A desperate retreat through the snoAv-filled passes folloAved, the troops being continually attacked by tribesmen. Only one Englishman, Dr. Brydon, reached Jalalabad (half Avay betAveen Kabul and PeshaAvar) to tell the story of that disaster. A feAV sepoys and native camp folloAvers turned up later. In October, 1842, the British flag Avas flying over Kabul again, an army of retribution haying been organised. Kabul Avas burnt and the great bazaar destroyed. Dost Mohammed Avas onCe more back on the throne, Shuga having been slain by his people. It Avas then decided that the people should say Avliat form of government they Avere to have, Avhile the Indus and the riA r ers of the Punjab Avere to be the future defences of India. The border tribesmen of Afghanistan and the mountain passes Avere to be placed between the British Army and an enemy approaching from the Avest.

When Dost Mohammed died in 1863 there Avas trouble OA-er the succession, the claims of his OAvn son, Shire Ali, being disputed by his brothers and it took him three years to establish himself as the acknoAvledged ruler. Shere Avas perplexed by a British adA'ance to a permanent position at Quetta in 1876 and he feared that, it Avas the beginning, of a fresh advance on

Kandahar and Herat. lie thought it Avise to receive a Russian envoy, at the same time refusing to see the British representative or even alloAV him to enter his domains. War Avas declared in 1878 and a British army advanced to Kabul. A treaty Avas draAvn up by Avhich Britain Avas to have an enA r oy at Kabul to oversee the future external policy of Afghanistan. Sir Louis CaA-agnari and his party took up their residence in the city but they had been there only five Aveeks Avlien they Avere attacked by a rabble and the treacherous soldiers of the Amler and , aH i :five weeks Sir Frederick Roberts, AA'ho had taken a force of 5000 men OA'er Kuman Pass Avas in possession, and Yakub Khan had abdicated. During the ensuing winter the British forces held the midAvalls of the continents against the OA r erAA rhelining forces of the enemy. In July, 1880, a brigade under General BurroAVS Avas disastrously defeated near Kandihar. Then began the famous march of General Robei’ts Avith 10,000 men from the Kabul to Kandahar. The army, of Avhich less than 3000 men Avere European troops coA r ered 303 miles in 20 days. This Avas followed by the OA r erthroAV of the Afghan army, a ATictory A\ T hich gained for General Roberts the title of Lord Roberts of Kandahar. INTERNAL TROUBLES.

The insecurity of the ruler of Afghanistan can be judged from the fact, that Ameer Habibullah Khan Avas assassinated in February, 1919, Avhen his brother Nasnullah seized the throne, only to be ousted a month later by Amanullah, the third son of the assassinated Ameer. -liis succession Avas folloAved in May by the crossing of the Indian frontier of Afghan troops and the opening of hostilities Avhich continued till June, Avhen Amanullah asked for and obtained an honourable peace. Conversations subsequently took place at Kabul betAveen a British mission and the King Avith the vieAV of forming a treaty of friendship. Though Turkish and BdlsheA'ik influences caused the conversations to be prolonged a treaty of friendship Avas signed at Kabul in November. It Avas agreed that Russian consulates should not be alloAved iu certain areas, complete independence of Afghanistan Avas re-affirmed and the privilege of importing arms and munitions through India.—A.B.