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EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

Kabul. But the young soldier, scorning everything but
his beloved Army, throws himself again into military
affairs.

The Turks are in Kabul too. Fine soldierly men,
wearing very prominently the star and the crescent,
very religious always, to impress the religious Afghan.
They seem particularly interested in the Army, and if
the truth be told, Amanullah is secretly flattered by their
attention, and consumes eagerly the crumbs of praise
which are often thrown to him from these impres-
sive, upright men from a martial race of the same
religion.

They do not seem to co-operate very well with the
Russians. Their legations, unofficial as yet? are at the
opposite ends of the city. There have already been
brushes between the diplomats, but it is difficult for a
mere soldier to find out the true intentions of that wily
old fox, the Amir Habibullah.

Not even to his son does he entrust the secrets of his
heart. Russia or England, Turkey or Germany ? lie
will not say where his heart lies, and from his demeanour
it is impossible to tell whether he has been impressed by
the religious companionship of the Turks, the cold
efficiency and financial promises of the Teutons, the
dignity of the British, or the softly wheedling tactics of
the Russians.

Even a soldier, however, has his own ideas. There was
at that time bred in the heart of Amanullah a burning
flame of nationalism which was not to be found in the
heart of any other Afghan. He saw the flatterers of other
lands, and he heard the soft arguments of many nation*
alities. He learnt how beneficial it would be for Afghani-
stan to link her fortunes with the Germans and the Turks.
He heard how imperative it was that treaties should be
made prejudicial to the British, and how it was essential

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