The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-14
BECOMING ENLIGHTENED.

AbOur Rahman, the Amer of Afghanis-
tan. has struck an idea which may have
far-reaching effects on his people in civil
iZing and educating them. During meet
Ing with Lord DufferiD, then Viceroy OF
India, at Rawul Pndi, the Ameer bad his
curiosity excited by seeing a portable en-
CINE, a dynamo and flashlight attach
ment. He asked himself why Afghanistan
could not also have machinery. There
was then not a steam-engne or any me-
chanical device in his dOminions beyond
that which had been used to rudely fashion
guns or perfect the swords and daggers,
in using which these semi bar oarians are
only too famous. The Ameer asked that
the Iudian Government should furnish
him with an engineer. and in due time Nh.
Salter Pyne, not without foreboding,
crossed the border, and was escorted to
Cabul by troop of Afghan cavalry. His
Highness received him in full durbar, and
had the gracousness to order him chair
in his presence and to chat with him full
eight hours at a stretch on the mysteries
of mechanics and the possibilities of pro-
viding practical workshops in Cabul. Mr.
Pyne was commissioned to erect buildings
and had unlimited funds and labor at COM
maui. III lDitb lDOuJDS tu6 AuI0tI lu-
spected progress and delivered a magDilo-
quent speech on The importance of the en-
terprise, which he declared needed three
essentials: Gods help. Mymoney. 7 our
work" On his part be undertook to find
all the money, no matter what the cost.
Mr.. Pyne has supplied the brains and now
Afghanistan is undergoing an industrial
revolution which may teach the savage
Afghans hat the arts of peace are prefer
able to those of war and piunder, and per-
petual unrest and jealousy.
First of all wood working machinery
was started, and the sight of saving and
planning worked marvels on Afghan imagi-
nation and enthusiasm. Then mint was
set up, and many millions of homes,
rupees, as far as the metal goes, have been
rolled out of the presses. The Afghans
themselves were equal to cutting the dies.
Next came the establishment of small
arsenal, where rifles, big guns and ammu.
milton were produced with proper scien-
tific nicely, in spite of The fact that Afghan
workmen had to be trained to the work.
This effort raised the worker highly In
the estimation of the AfghaDs, their prin-
cipal conception of industry being still
associated with bellicose power. Although
not as we'll finished as those which Krupp
or Armstrong could produce the artillery
is still formidable, and must be reck on ed
with by the Ameer's enemies. But in The
end the arts of peace may soften the saw
age nature. Great must be the refining
influence OF seeing factories in operation
producing soap and candles, boots and
shoes, fuses, jewelry, furniture and many
other wares that were either rude to prim-
itiveness or unknown in Afghanistan be-
fore MIR. PyDe's advent. The Ameer has
risen in the estimation of his subjects as
a ruler. 1t is seen that be is more power
full to strike because he can do these
things. and hence he is more respected.
He has even set an example by taking of
his coat and working at a bench himself
in downright grim enjoyment of the
luxury of labor at some productive and
not destructive occupation. The Afghans
are not deficient in ability, but they are