New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05

behind his back. The Afghan replied that the
Ameer had no enemies he had killed them all.
This was repeated to the Amcer. who summoned
his servant to his presence and instantly put
him TO death for his ill-timed jest. 1t Will be
remembered that a similar legend has been re-
lated Of various other rulers and generals.
Perhaps it was true Of one Of them. but the
repetition Of it in so many cases does not con-
dGce to implicit faith IN all Of them.
In personal appearance the Amer Is n man
Of middle stature robust and broad -ShOulGered.
His complexion is somewhat darker than is
usually found among Afghans whose tint H.
commonly that of the Southern European races
He wears a short thick, black beard his eyes
are brown. and his nose large and aqui!ine. lie
dresses plainly, in semi-European fashion. His
style Of living is equally plain, ard. contrary
to Oriental custom, he uses a knife ard fork at
table Similarly he has TAKEN 20 smoking cigars
instead Of the Eastern "hookah." 1t may or
may not be regarded as evidence Of progress
sive spirit that he dislikes newspapers. They
are, he says. continually publishing lies about
his country Like others however who edo rot
like newspapers" he reads them carefully every
day. and he has even said that he has half a
mind to start paper of his own. so that the
world may know the truth about Afghanistan.
THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.
The heir to the throne Habibullah Khan has
a history scarcely less dramatic than that of the
Ameer himself The Ameer has five legal wives
The first Of them is a grand niece of Dost Mo-
manned She has had only one son. who died in
boyhood. The second and fifth wives have been
Childless The fourth is royal princess and has
had one son, but he died several years ago. The
only legitimate living SONS Of the Amccr. there
FORE are the two born to him by his third WIFE,
Habibullah and Nasrullah. The third WIFE, how
ever. has always been regarded by the people
and mobiles of the Court with disfavor and con-
tempt. for the reason that she was formerly moth
ing but a slave. and was brought to Cdbul in
the retinue Of the Amecr's first wife. Woo was
her owner. Her two have shared this
odium. and numerous attempts have been made
to murder them. These attempts have not beer
successful, but some OF the poisons Administered
to Habibullah have 50 affected his nerves as to
make him incurabe stammarer He is. ncv-
crthcless. worthy prince. lie actually occupied
the throne as Ameer for fully two years while
his father was in other parts Of the empire sup
pressing the rebellion Of Ishak Khan. and he was
nttinFly, some four years ago, formally declared
the heir to the throne. His younger brother.
Nasrullah. Is the Shah zada who recently visited
England and was entertained there with royal
honors.
PROGRESS NJ CAEUI.
The Amccr's latest and not less interesting on
tcrprisc has been to introduce European arts and
sciences at Cabul. Shore All had once remarked.
Truly all nations are advancing in the arts OF
peace and civilization. 1t is only we Afghaus
who remain ignorant asses" But be made no
effort TO bring Afghaustan forward Into line
with other nations. That was reserved f1r Alb
dur Rahmgn. he naturally turned to England
for instruction and assistance. and got Mr.
now Sir Salter Pyuc. a shrcwd Yorkshir"Uan
to start various manufacturing cntcrpris., n
he came to inspect them and said to Mr.. ryu".
This is one OF the harriest days II my lif".
have to-day seen the foundation OF what ~ t.
De a great thing for AfrAan.stan. before th.-"
workshops can be- finished thr." things ar" need
Cd Gods help my money. your work J
viii nrd the money. you viii ID the WORK AM
We must hope fnr GODS help" Now th.r" are
workshops Of all Kinds at Cabul turning .u' all
things. from candles to brr.,h- loading cannon.
Tho electric light is in U.s.. ana short lin" u
railroad has been built ~ course. Afghan. 'au
Is sjul a rud" md savage country. and .'- fI''r
il ignorant and cruel IN comparison with The
best soycrrisus ~ Euroi' l'u, the progress.
that has been made there IN IT," Last iaz.n years
and the energy and human ~ ambition b. has dis
played have fc.g parallels n cont mporary h.s.
tory.