AMEER AND VICEROY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 5 March 1907, Page 4

AMEER AND VICEROY.

CORDIAL MI'KTIXIi WITH LORD JUNTO AT AGRA. TliA TABLE DIPLOMACY. In the code of Orient;'.! ceremony no function stands so high as the ceremonial visit and return visit. When the Ameer of Afghanistan ivc.nt'y visit: d India at- Agra lie wove his «"-ncral\s ecarlet uniform, glittering with brilliant stars and a row of medals, and was escorted by Ins own wild caialry.

Seated by the side of Lord Minto on their silver chairs, and surrounded by thei." briliiant staffs, the Ameer opened the conversation in clea 1 ' tones. "I am sorry I cannot speak English. I speak a little. : i> not gMnl." He then called his interpreter, and his conversation was thence-

forward conducted in Persian. TUB AMEER AND THE MILK JUG. Wlicn tea was served, a gr;iceful incident occurred. The Vicciov having helped the Ameer to milk, was about to serve himself, when the Ameer arrested his band, and r sing said. "I will h;'lp yon," and poured the milk into the Viceroy's cup with his own hind. This courtly 1- indliness was most characteristic of the Ameer, an.l created a profound imptession on his sirdars. The return visit of the Viceroy to the Ameer, made immediately afterwards, was equally cordial. The Ainecr arranged his "iiavcls v itli his own hands, and then changing from mufti into uniform with extraordinary -speed, bo- stood to welcome the Viceroy.' "I consider this temporarily Afghan territory," said he to the Viceroy shaking hands with him; ' welcome to mv kingdom." To which the Viceroy replied, "I am delighted to be greeted by the giving ot Vl'-linili tall in his own country. ' DELIGHTED WITH TIIE PIPERS. "I am grateful to your Majesty for sending me an escort oi your bodyguard, said the Viceroy. "To protect the lives of my friends is my first duty," was tl«Ameer's acknowledgment. The talk then turned to language.--, and the Ameer quoted the Persian proverb that mutual knowledge of each other's lan cruaws is the nsarest road to friendship. ' During dinner at the Government House at Peshawar the pipers of a 11, S ll, ; mc regiment played, to U* intense flight ot the Ameer. Replying to the toast of his health, the Ameer, speaking in English, said: "I want In say that my hps cannot express all that is in my heart."