The Washington herald., 1907-01-20

Calcutta. Jan. 19-The Ameer Of AZ
ghanistan, HabIbuIIah Khan, is making
his first visit to India. Apart from its
political Importance as indicating the At
CHAN rulers close friendship with the
British government, the visit is also OF
great interest TO the vast Mohammedan
population Of India, for he is one OF the
heads OF the Moslem world.
A retinue Of 1850 persons accompanies
the Ameer. whose baggage is carried by
no fewer than 200 eamels. He entered
India laden with presents for all with
whom he is brought in official contact.
The gift handed to the viceroy for dis
patch to the King is stated to be OF great
value
On Monday next the Ahneer VIII be re-
ceived in the historic Diwan-i-Am. or
Hall OF Public Audience, in the palace OF
Delhi, the great capital Of the ancient
Mogul empire.
The Diwan-i-Am forms part OF the
splendid collection Of buildings which con-
stituted the palace OF the MOgui En-
peror. Shah Jehan. II is now known as
the Fort. Many OF the buildings have
vanished The beautiful hall measures
100 feet by 50 feet. The arcades OF
columns IN their former days Of gran
deur must have presented a scene OF
Arabian Nights brilliance when the
place was festooned with canopies and
draperies Of gorgeous brocades. which
were relieved by the splendor Of the King
upon his jeweled peacock throne" (nOw
Z ,s~t.o
out the silver rail guarding the throne
A rich tent which used 70 stretch from
one side was spread with costly carpets.
Meeting with the VEceroy.
The feature Of the Ameers visit up TO
the present was his meeting with the
viceroy. Lord MlntO, at Agra, on Wednes-
day last, the ceremonies lasting d week.
On the first day. Lord Kitchener, COM
mander-in-chiaf Of the forces in India,
with his staff and all the principal guests.
made a public entry into the city. On
the second day the viceroy entered in
state. The Ameer arrived on the third
| day, and was given a reception Of ex-
/ traordinaTy splendOr. His camp was
! erected near Lord Kitchener's. As guards
he had two officers and 100 non-commis-
stoned officers and men OF the Indian in
/ fantry.
After the former durbar, when Lord
/ Minto welcomed the Ameer TO India IN
/ the name of the King-EmperOr, a grand
review of 5000 troops was held on the
plains outside the city. At the review
two divisions Of infantry-native and
British-were present, with eight cavalry
| regiments and over 100 guns
visit is 10 inspect the Indian native army
and study its organization, administration,
and equipment, with q view TO reorgan-
izing hts own forces. He viii visit the
arsenals and military factories at Jubbul-
pore and Cawnpore.
Early in February the Ameer viii hsve
a few days tiger shooting at SohagPore.
/ The most remarkable experience o. the
/ tour, however. viii be the sea trip from
Bombay to Karachi. His majesty has
never seen the sea and Is said &c be
/ looking forward to his first voyage with
! considerable trepidation.
The Ameer's Personality.
Habibullah Khan, who is now IN his
! thirty-f1fth year, is an exceptionally tail
man, with a typical Afghan face and dark,
/ flashing eyes. IN manner he is quiet and
thoughtful and rather slow Of speech. He
has a fierce temper when aroused. and
only q short time ago had one OF his
| leading generals blown from cannon
for a minor Offense.
Though the Ameer has q passion for
motor cars and photography. a mediaeval
atmosphere still surrounds him. For ex-
ample three offenders were recently
buried alive by his orders, and several
criminals had their eyes gOuged out -Four
captured brigands we're penned in cages
and hung up in the principal thorough
| fare of Kabul.
| Like most Afghans. he is an excellent
shot and devoted to big game shooting.