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Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 4

The latest news from Afghani sta 11 is .(» the effect that Ainanullah is as far If Kabul as ever, and that Bacha-i----iakao, the M .hniand water-carrier who ms seized the throne, is still defiantv standing Ills ground. '1 lie usurper uts very astutely appealed to the fglian tribes to uphold the true faith igainst the “atheistic’' reforms of Uiianulhili, and lie seems to have seured a very substantial measure of ■aipport from tlicm. Orientals are always impressionable on their, relidmis side, and they have no objection si being ruled by any man strong enough to rise from, the ranks ami

gut Uis way to the throne. Moreover, Bacha-i-Sakao, who now styles himself Hababuila Gliazi. or “the victorious,” has some personal claims to admiration, for lie is described as a man of spendid physique, a. fine shot, “brave as a lion,” and an adept at the guerilla fighting which is the only kind of warfare practicable on “the llodf of the World.” Amanullah’s chief hope lay in Nadir Khan, once lender of the Afghan armies and for some time Al’gan Minister at Baris. Nadir 's a man of the world, as well as an

•xperieuccd lighter, and lie was inelind to sympatlii.se with most of Amani Hall’s reforms. Rut lie admitted when lie came hack to Judin a few recks ago that the Amir had been too ro’ipitate, and though he was confident that he could win over the chief tribes to his side, his sudden dash at 'Cahul has failed dismally. A north>rn writer does not suppose that much •ympachy will he evpended anywhere i.er Amanullali, who is suspected of having connived at the murder of his father, and who has certain’y been in l-’se and friendly communication with t!ie Bolsheviks for some time past. The fact that the Amir of Afghanistan is -me of the four potentates who claim the proud title of Tvhalif should have made Amanullali more careful to avoid offending the orthodoxy of his fanatical subjects, and his recklessness will probably ensure his final downfall.