FOUR OF ENGLAND

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 7

FOUR OF ENGLAND

AFGHAN ROYALTIES VISIT TO OXFORD UNIVERSITY DEGREE CONFERRED ON KING AMANULLAH (By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright.) Rugby, March 23. The King and Queen of Afghanistan motored to-day to Oxford where the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law was conferred upon King Amanullah with traditional ceremony. The proceedings were conducted as usual entirely in Latin. He and Queen Souriya were entertained to luncheon by Lord Birkenhead, High Steward of the University in the absence through illness of Viscount Cave, Chancellor of the University. Lord Birkenhead made an interesting announcement. He said: “It is I believe the purpose of King Amanullah to found a university in Kabul to be the centre of culture and learning in that part of Asia and so revive the glories of the wonderful past. More than 1000 years ago there flourished near the shores of the Oxus in northern Afghanistan the world-famed university of Bactria. History relates that this illustrious city of learning was razed to the ground by the all-destroying Janghiz Khan, world conqueror, ruthless and unpitying. We of Oxford shall follow the execution of King Amanullah's illuminating conception with warm sympathy and interest. It may even be that the Queen of Afghanistan's brother, who is here among us to-day as an undergraduate, may live to become the first vice-chancellor of this university. It is not easy for us in the twentieth century in England to realize what deep-seated difficulties King Amanullah has been called on to face And has steadfastly confronted to promote the cause of learning in his far away home.”—British Official Wireless.