NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1928. THE AFGHAN REVOLT

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1928, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1928. THE AFGHAN REVOLT

Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper.

'The okl adage that one may take a horse to the water but fail to make him drink has been illustrated in Afghanistan, whore King Amanullah’s attempt compulsorily to westernise his subjects led to a serious revolt. A truce has been arranged, and it is expected that peace will be restored, but this will be contingent upon the extent to which the King will meet the religious scruples and social customs of the people. It is interesting to recall the changes which King Amannllah has endeavoured to make by merely waving his seeptre. Realising that his country must lag behind' in the march of nations unless freed from some of the Moslem practices ■which had become part and parcel of the people’s., life, he institutedi a rigorous policy of reform immediately upon his return from his European tour. In July he summoned a Great Council of representatives of the nation, and, after denouncing the practice of polygamy, warned his officials that any additions to their harems would henceforth involve their own subtraction from the pay-rolls of the | Ministries. At a great State banquet and reception, to which were invited j the most important men in the kingi dom, Queen Surraya appeared, unveiled —a proceeding which gave such offence to the old-fashioned l and orthodox mullahs and religious teachers, that when the King appealed to the members of the Great Council to endorse his desire for the unveiling of women generally, they would do no more than recommend the “adoption of European veils by the ladies of the capital.” Queen Surraya, who strongl ly supports the emancipation of women jin Afghanistan, openly defended the movement by referring to the first

principles of the Mohammedan religion, which, she argued, gave women privileges—such as freedom of action, of speech, and of thought —of which they had subsequently been deprived. Another edict which roused bitter dissatisfaction was that which ordered the shaving of beards among State officials and members of the Jirza or General Assembly and their adoption of European clothing, while in session. But those changes represent only portion of the King’s programme. Laws have been passed limiting the retinues of officials ami abolishing ceremonial uniform and dress, A new black, red and green flag —bearing the sun, a mountain, and a whoatsheaf as the national emblems —will take the place of the black standard of earlier Afghan Kings. Schemes for tiro reform of the judiciary and for the foundation of a national bank are under consideration. Education has been made compulsory in the towns, where the payment of less than £2 a year assures the student of the best teaching that the State can give; a large number of poor students receive a free education. Some of the Moslem clergy, who acquire a local following, have resented the proposal to limit the right to preach to trained and competent theologians. These mullahs are described as in most cases turbulent religious zealots who have frequently regarded themselves as the rightful leaders of the people and have looked with suspicion and jealousy on any increase of the prestige and power of the monarch. King Amanullah, it will be seen, has indeed stirred up a hornets’ nest.