Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-12-19
ABSTRACTION 70 rms poLIos.


The Gabul Police Code and the why
III Oriental Prince Runs His Force
The following from the 80. JamsS
Gasstte, London, England, shows how a
great eastern potentate. the Ameer Of
Afghanistan runs his police force. Abdur
Rahman evidently believes in moral
suasion, and wont allow his officers to
CLUB the citizens OF Csbul:
A conscientious and painstaking ruler
! in his way is our friend and ally the
Ameer Abdur Rahman, and volume Of
poline regulations, lately published, by
order, at Csbul shows plainly that he
devotes very particular attention to the
details OF domestic government. The
duties and responsibilities of his Mohta-
sibs, or superintendent of police, are
most carefully defined; and II the rules
laid down are only adhered to, Cabul
must become one OF the most orderly
cities in Central Asia. Offences against
religion are to be dealt with no less rigor-
ously than breaches of the peace. Should
some grsceless Afghan omit TO bow
his head with due reverence at the hour
OF prayer the police officer must re-
monstrate with him, gently nt first, but II
need be, with sternness. II the offender
is hardened, the policeman .ishould frown
upon him, and spsak TO him i'll harsh
terms, such Us '0h, foolish man! Oh,
stupid man y but not 10 stronger language
than this" Should rsmonstranos prove
unavaiiiug, the police may use force to
compel the man to bow down, threaten a
| beating, administer the sRnle, and GO q
! last resource, invoke the aid of ths mill
tary. In the latter event the case must
| be reported to his highness the ameer,
who Twill do the rest" 1t would
| almost Seem as IL Abdur Rah.
man were trying to walk in
tho footsteps of the famous Shah
I Mursd OF Bokhara, OF whose reputation
as q model Mahomelan prince ne doubt
less hoard when he lived in exile among
the Usbegs beyond the OIus. Shah
Marad's police officers used to spend
most Of their time driving the people to
prayers. They were instructed to walk
| about the streets with little books, out Of
which they we're to oatechise the casual
waytarer; md whoever failed to give
satisfactory answers on points of religion
| would be beaten then and there.
Even in regard to ordinary offences IL
| is enacted in the Oabul Police Code that
q seourging mnst be laid on with pious
1 ejaculRtions. The ecourge itself must be
made of three strips of leather taken
respectively from the camel, the COW and
the sheep; the handle being Of olive wood.
| The police officer il exhoEted to feel COM
| passion for the offender, since all Ma.
hometans are Of one hssh. He should
! guard himself against vsinglory, and take
no thought Of his own high station or
I superiority TO the offender, for by such
means the devil enters into mems hearts
to make them arrogant and oonceited.
This use OF strong language in the streets
must be promptly published. Vitupera.
ton of syud Zone who claims
descent from the prophet MRhomet
through his daughter Fatims), or man
of learning, or civic grsybeerd, rendera
the culprit liable to fine Of so rupees
ard 20 laShes. The use Of Illegal weights,
the adulteFstion OF ghee (clar.ied butter),
misbshavior in the mosque, are oil men
toned in the list Of cognizable offences.
If man kisses woman WHO is not his
wife he is to be beaten with 20 lashes and
looked up for further inquiry. No! the
least notable part Of this Oabul police
code deals with the conduct Of the police
officers themselves. They must be men
of pisty. They must never use threats
which they do not intend, il necessary,
to fulfil. They must avoid idle CONVEX.
sation with the people, and are not to be
too inquisitive, for this is contrary to the
preoepts OF the koran.