The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1928. THE REGAL VISITOR.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1928. THE REGAL VISITOR.

Thk visit of the King of Afghanistan to England has been featured specially. This is not surprising from the diplomatic standpoint, in some respects Afghanistan is something of a buffer between India, and the Soviet influences and it would be well for Britain to be on very friendly terms with the reigning monarch. This is more so the case because King Amanullah is a man of decision and has been styled the Mussolini of the East. Probably he is not as sweeping in his methods as the chief personal force in Italy to-day, but lie has the same objective in mind. The King of Afghanistan stated lie was going to Europe for two reasons—to take back to his I country everything that is best in European civilisation and to show Europe that Afghanistan is on the map of the world. He is a very alert and brilliant personality. He recognises that Afghanistan is coming out of the past into the present and intends to progress—and naturally the best in leadership is most desirable. A correspondent of a London paper, who met the regal visitor on arrival at Naples, sought to secure some particulars of the sjiecial mission to Europe, hut (failed, for as the correspondent commented, “no sovereign ever had to walk more warily the rocky road of Kingship in the East.” It is even suggested that there may be occasion for him to make ail earlier return to Afghanistan than was intended, because of plotting in his absence. He has onemies at home as well as abroad. High priests of Islam within his kingdom are attacking fiercely his me t cherished project of universal education for the illiterate means. His sinister neighbour, Soviet Russia, sits watchfully at his elbow ready to seize even- opportunity to poison the minds of his people. He knows that every ntterance credited to him in Europe will be dashed back to his critics and utilised, fairly or unfairly, for liis discomfiture. The education of his people is his pet hobby. “I teach my simplified system of writing at evening classes when the day’s work is done,” the King explained in an interview. “It has been a great success. It will enable an illiterate person to acquire in 23 days the ability to read and write, which under the old system, would take three years. We have millions of illiterates in Afghanistan, and they need schools and shall have them, schools for girls ns well os hoys,’ 1

Eastern religions are often a serious bugbear to reforms of a national character. but as regards Afghanistan, the King says “our religion is not so sirict That we cannot take for our needs what is best from ill" countries of the west.” Although his mission has been represented as largely one of investigation of the economic, financ! th and social conditions of Europe, it- also has its political side; as can be well understood. On his aspect much v.’ll no doubt be done and said in private. Diplomatic conversations are sure to result with every country he touches, and if his programme is earrid out as intended originally lie still has to visit and tour part of Russia. Regarding this and the possibilities which might arise it must not be assumed that he is ignorant of the intrigues of his northern neighbour, Soviet. Russia, or indifferent to- the dangers of Bolshevism. He is fully aware <the attempts now being made to s.'diiee his subjects in the north-west-ern part of the kingdom into joining their brethren across the frontier who are now incorporated into one ol Moscow's artificial Soviet republics, which is being used as a base for the -political subjection of India. ’The machinations of Russia are said to have caused the liveliest anxiety in Kabul. The Russians have made many promises in Kabul, and have given glowing accounts of the strength and prosperity of their country under Soviet rule. Idle King is going to Moscow, perhaps farther, to see for himself, as far as bis astute hosts permit, the extent to which these statements are Iwrno out by a survey of actual conditions. His Majesty’s thirst for information and desire to cover as much ground as possible during his tour are already evoking murmurs of dissatisfaction among some members of his entourage, says a correspondent, who object to being rushed breathlessly from place to place without an opportunity for a. detailed examination of the subjects- allotted to them. His ten days in Egypt, although tilled with engagements, official and unofficial. left His Majesty much fresher than some of his suite*, and lie was as lively as ever when he went aboard the steamer at Alexandria. This pen pieuro tells us a. good deal of the personality of King Amanullah, who is one of the world figures to-day. though ruling over but a small portion. .Still its location counts a great deal, and Britain is particularly interested in the impression, made on the regal visitor, because of the juxtaposition of his country to that of India.