OUR FAITHFUL ALLY THE AMEER.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 40

OUR FAITHFUL ALLY THE AMEER.

A CHARACTER SKETCH.

By far the most interestiug figure on the stage of Central Asian politics at the present time i 3 the Ameer of Afghanistan. It is the custom in England to regard him as a mere despotic barbarian, who has no more compunction in slicing off ths heads oC hi 3 recalcitrant subjects than he has in eating his breakfast ; but this is a most erroneous conception of the Afghan ruler. A despot he certainly is, and that of a very pronounced type ; but he is a good deal more than that. A strong ruler, a clever diplomatist, aa able military commander, and, beyond all, a shrewd and capable man of business, he has claims to attention such as perhaps no other reigniDg prince in tha whole of Asia can be saH to possc-s. Just now, when Sir Mortimer Durand's mission is being received at Cabal with opea arms, we are hearing a good deal of the ioflucßCJ of his strong personality and advanced views ; but Abdur Rihman's improving tendencies are no new thing bo those who have followed the course of Central Asian affairs in the last decade. His clever direction of the political affairs of his Sbate has coincided with a praiseworthy extension of the peaceful arts. While his turbulent subjects have bean held in subjection with at times luthless severicy, his capital has bsea made the scene of varicus prac'ical and useful expeiiments. Workshops have been established en the latest European principles for the manufacture not only of all kinds o£ arras and mili'ary accoutrement, but for shoe 1 ;, c'otbing. and otber ncc3bt;u-ies of life. The mint has beea reorganised on lines not dissimilar from cur own, ar.d on exi-en&iva s'-ud farm supplied with brood rains of the best Engli-h and Arab bieeds, and managed on the most approved piiaciples, has been created with the ohjeci ot improving the native breed of horses. All this and much more has beeu accomplished by the Ameer Bines he came to the throne ; and Cabul is

in a fair way to become one of the most advanced centres of industry and progress outside British territory in the whole of Asia.

Abdur Rahman's career has bees chequered and romantic enough. The grandson of Dost M-ihomed, by Alzul, the eldest son of that most famous of Afghan rulers, he took a prominent part in the stirring scenes which followed the death of the Dost. How he overthrew the power of Shere Ali and established his uncle Azim on the throne ; how he subsequently suffered defeat at the hands of Shere Ali in a successful attempt on bis part to recover bis lost supremacy ; and how he was compelled to lead the life of a fugitive for many years in Russian territory, until the exile of his old enemy made his selection as Ameer by the British Government a political necessity, are matters of history. Throughout these eventful times he proved himsali' a man of great resource and courage, and of exceptional ability, and these qualities were conspicuously shown after bis accession to power. By a system of rigid coercion he crushed out all discontent and seated himself firmly on the throne ; and when later we came to the verge of conflict with Russia over the Penjdeh question, he showed great judgment by placiug himself unreservedly in our hands. The exciting events of that period brought into prominence his steadfastness as a political ally ; but it was not until he met Lord Dufferin at Rawul Pindi, in 1885, that his understanding with us assumed its present cordial complexion. The delicate attentions paid him there were, no doubt, highly flattering to bis amour propre, and he was also probably impressed with the strength of England's power in India. Certain it is that he went back to Gabul an enthusiastic well-wisher of our Government ; and though his friendship has since had its cold fits, he has on the whole honourably filled his part of the compact.

Everyone who has come in contact with the Ameer has been deeply impressed with his shrewdness and ability. Sir Lepel Griffin, who was brought iato intimate relations with him in the days immediately prior to his accession, formed a most favourable judgment of his character. Speaking of his first meeting with Ab3ur Rahman, at Cabul, in 1880, he thus describes him :—": — " His face, somewhat coarse and heavy in repose, lighted up when he smiled in a very winiring fashion, and his eyes were full of fun and vivacity. His conversation showed him at once to be a man of much information and knowledge of men and the world ; his estimate of the character of the persons regarding whom we conversed was reasonable and shrewd ; while through his whole bearing there was clearly visible much natural humour and bonliomie." At Rawul Pindi the Ameer created a not less pleasing impression. He conversed freely with the British officers who were brought into association with him, and surprised them by the depth of his knowledge and the acuteness of his judgments. Some of his obiter dicta may appropriately ba cited, as they furnish an excellent insight into bis character. On one occasion the respective forms of government throughout the world came up for discussion, and Abdur Rahman thus delivered himself :—": — " I have heard of the Liberal Government in England, democracy in America, and other so-called free institutions in different countries. I disapprove of them all, as no nation left in the enjoyment of freedom to such an extent can last any great length of time. If anything of the sort were adopted in my country, there would be an end to anything like stable government." The subject then dropped, but it was shortly afterwards revived in a rather curious manner. The merits of Australian horses, known in India as " Walers," Mere being discu3sed, when, after expressing dislike of the animals because of their viciousness, the Ameer hazarded the conjecture that they were probably bred on some extensive plain, where they were allowed to run free. His Highness, on being told that such was the case, triumphantly exclaimed : " There ! that is the result of the freedom I was talking about a short time ago as being perilous to a Government which permitted it." Of the troops he saw at the review held in his honour he spoke in enthusiastic terms. The volunteers especially took his fancy. When told that they were men who took to soldiering for the love of the thing, he observed : 11 1 would like 6000 of them on those terms." During a visit paid to him by Sir Donald Stewart, then Commander-in-chief of India, he showed his old friend of Cabul days, with evident pride, a Martini-Henry carbine made at his own arsenal in his capital. An officer of Sir Donald's suite hazardsd an observation, about the difficulty of making Martini-Henry cartridges; whereupon the Ameersignificantly rema-ked, " I did not attempt to manufacture the arm until I succeeded in making the cartridge." These chance observations made in the course of ordinary conversation indicate a native shrewdness and keenness of observation such a3 are rarely met with ia an Asiatic ruler, and they help us to understand the reason why, at the present time, the turbulent races of Afghanistan are consolidated under one administration as they have never been before. — Sb. James's Budget.