AMANULLAII

of corruption. They were invited to explain forthwith
their methods of conducting State business. Their
weak pleas, based on the traditions of their forerunners,
were dismissed with short consideration. They were
ousted without even the salvation of their dignity.
The new regime was to start afresh, and they were the
first casualties.

Amanullah was ruthless. He would not listen to any
of the specious excuses that came readily to the lips of
those who had offended his sense of rigid correctness.
In vain did they call history to their aid, and show
that never in the memories of men were Afghan Govern-
ment departments conducted withoxit the evil of mass
bribery and deceit,

The new broom swept clean. The sweepings were not
even permitted the luxury of complaint. There were
mutterings and rumours of dissatisfaction. They were
kept secret, however, a compliment to the respect in
which Amanullah's strength and ruthlessness were
already held. And, in any case, the common people
could easily be persuaded to applaud the demise of
a despot, even though they had grown cynically
accustomed to one tyrant giving place only to another
more grasping and more dishonest.

Amanullah's nominees, however, were of a new type*
It was evident, at any rate, that they had not purchased
their positions in the open market. They were young
men, recruited from the soldiery* They were expected
faithfully to follow the ideals of their leader, and it
cannot be doubted that some herculean efforts were
made in Kabul at the time to maintain a moral code
very different from that at any time in past history,

The posts of importance in education, the collection
of taxes, the police, foreign affairs, and domestic matters
were all handed out to the chosen of Amanullah. Though

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