EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

Even then the mullahs were not pleased. They
attributed the lowest motives to this universal wish to
honour their King. They cared not a jot for the free
advertisement which their country was receiving. They
snapped their fingers in contempt at the compliments
which crackled through the ether. Afghanistan for the
Afghans ! They pinned their faith to that old slogan
and nothing could budge them.

Amanullah said that too. His motives were no doubt
sincerely patriotic. He really believed that he could
materially benefit his people by a visit to Europe.
Apart from the commercial prosperity which he believed
would accrue, he valued highly the respect of other
nations. He revelled in every official protestation of
respect. He believed in every flattery. In some vague
way he believed he could educate his people to the same
appreciation.

The date was now fixed. The formalities during his
journey in India were arranged. He himself could not
help feeling a real thrill at the thought of the adventure
before him.

It is difficult for Western people to realise the shock
that such an ordinary journey as the first part of this
would mean tp a man such as Amanullah. The wonder
of a railway train was new to him. The wonder of the
sea, the mystery of the ships that plied their way through
the waves — all were new.

He had never seen the sea. He had never seen a
railway train. He had never seen a ship. Never before
had he set foot outside his own country, nor seen other
men and the manner in which they conduct their lives.

But before he went, he issued yet another declara-
tion, this time more apologetic in tone than the last.
Qui $' excuse S* accuse. But he had never heard that
saying.

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