FROM THE EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1928, Page 4

FROM THE EAST

- AND KABUL.

(By Dr Edouard Litboff, the well-known Russian economist apd traveller, who went to Kabul on a mission of investigation before the war).

Opinions on Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, vary to the same extent as the pronouneiation of its name. The Russians pronounce it Ka-bool, with tho accent on the last syllable, but the true pronunciation is roughly Kahbl, with only the slightest vowel sound after the letter b. This is ducto the fact that the language contains no vowels.

As regards the city itself, it is ancient and rich in romantic history and legend. From the road by which our Alission entered the city—we travelled tfrom Tashkent through Samarkand and Balkli—there- was a fine view which much impressed us. We entered the city at a busy time and were struck at once by the marvellous panorama of coloured roofs and lofty towers.

I found Kabul extraordinarily progressive; both tho authorities and the more important merchants appeared t ho very eager to modernise the country and its capital. All this was somewhat surprising to- me, since the Russian cities in that part of Asia- have always been proverbially backward. Oil this point the members of our Alission were apt to disagree; some were sorry to see so much advancement and gloomily foretold the end ol all Oriental boautv. Others were ol the opinion that progress in European style could not only preserve but could actually accentuate the beauty of the city. I was of the latter opinion. Already the existing boulevard, with its good pavement and shady trees, had dono much to enhance the natural beauty of the city; and at the same time it represented a step forward in municipal progress. There were also a number of large buildings and palaces of which no city could lie ashamed.

But Kabul is predominantly a city of fine gardens and orchards. The profusion of blooms strikes the stranger, if if he has travelled in Persia. And actually there is a certain likeness between Kabul and Teheran. I was shown some beautiful blue roses, or at least flowers that looked like roses, and T have tasted some fine fruit grown in the city’s orchards. Living was cheap and the hotel at which some of our party stayed was fairly well run. (Personally, I enjoyed the hospitality of a wealthy citizen and was lavishly entertained in his semi-Orien-tal palace). I understand that to-day the''accommodation provided is much more luxurious and that Kabul can now boast a fine hotel run in modern European style. At the time of my visit the citizens were keenly interested in the outside world. As in all other Aloslem cities, wo were able only to converse with the men of Kabul, but I was told that the idea of progress had penetrated the women’s quarters, and that there was a growing tendency to learn languages. The language spoken in Kabul and Afghanistan generally is Pushtu, of which there, are a number of dialects, hut among the better classes, both Persian and Russian.are understood and spoken. Persian is the language of the Court.

Alv opinion of Kabul was that given time, it would liecome a line blend of Oriental and Occidental, and might finally compete with many great Indian cities. I am glad to see that my optimism was justified, for to-day Kabul is modern.