AMANULLAH LEAVES AFGHAN THRONE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6812, 16 January 1929, Page 7

AMANULLAH LEAVES AFGHAN THRONE

Brother to Rule

FLIGHT TO KANDAHAR United Press Association —By Eleetri* Telegraph—Copyright. DELHI, Jan. 14. A Peshawar message states that it is strongly rumoured on the frontier that King Amanullah of Afghanistan has abdicated in favour of his elder brother, Prince Inayatullah, and that he has proceeded by aeroplane to Kandahar. LONDON, Jan. 14. Amanullah ; s abdication in favour of his brother is authoritatively confirmed Vn London.

PRIESTS WIN THE DAY. ALL REFORMS WITHDRAWN. POWER OF HOLY MEN. DELHI, Jan. 34. Official news from Kabul confirms the report that King Amanullah agreed to the withdrawal of the reform programme. The demands of tho Shinwaris, which tho King unconditionally agreed to, means that the government will now be under religious control. Some of the demands are that the priests of the Mullah class shall be the body to have supreme authority. The King is to observe all practices and customs of the Mohammedan religion, and women, including tho Queen, are to adopt Afghan costume. Schoolboys are to be permitted to marry, and the people shall be allowed to show their respect to the holy men by kissing their feet. The holy men’s advice is to be carried out as law.

DEPOSED MONARCH MAY LIVE IN PARIS. LONDON, Jan. 14. King Amanullah’s flight to Kandahar renders it easier for him to leave Afghanistan, but his position is still perilous, as many of his recent adherents arc anxious to side with the rebels.

The objective from Kandahar would be Quetta, but Amanullah may select some other destination in order to bo more certain of escaping the vengeance of his onemies, who will undoubtedly pursue him, even to India. It is certain that he can never remain in safety anywhere in tho East and, probably, therefore, should lieeffect his escape, lie will eventually live in retirement in Paris.

No moslem warrior can understand the psychology of a man who socks safetv'rather than die fighting.

His flight will forever en’d the hope of his regaining his lost position. NEW RULER FRIENDLY TO BRITAIN. Received Tuesday 11.5 p.m LONDON, Jan 15. The Afghan Legation in London has informed the “Daily Telegraph” that it has received the following message from Kabul: “Relating to the internal feud, King Amanullah, out of patriotic and friendly feelings and of his own freewill handed over the Kingdom to his elder brother The existing relations with foreign countries will continue.’ ’

It is understood that Inayatulla Khan is sympathetic to Britain, consequently the relations with India aro likely to ho amicable. The new ruler is a thoroughly orthodox Moslem and is greatly under the influence of the priests. It is improbablo that ho will repeat his brother’s mistake by forcing unpopular reforms.