Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-14

valorous and loyal Hindu and Sikh Sar-
dars, who would pay revenue to the SUI
preme government and retain their own
troops. He further suggests the distri-
button of arms among the able-bodied
Hindu peasants possessing some prop
erty. and also among loyal Mohamme-
dams. and proposes the raising Of volun-
teer corps from the Jats and Sikhs of the
province.
Busy Traffic in Arms.
With regard to the busy traffic in arms.
the Pioneer notes that while the Amir
of Kabul is encouraging the trade in
Afghanistan proper, he roes not show
the least inclination to assist directly in
furnishing the rifles and ammunition to
tribesmen within the sphere of British
political influence Exception may per-
haps be made in respect of the Mohmands.
but that tribe is SO placed that it is diff
fcult to discriminate between sections
which profess allegiance to Kabul and
others which have relations with our po-
litical officers.
LAS regards such important clans as
the Afridis and Mahsuds. all their re-
quests for arms have been rejected by
the amir Even the Mullah Powindah.
who is given to sending a deputation to
Kabul, has completely failed to gain the
object that he has in view.
The Afghan government, in short, has
no objection to its own tribesmen buying
arms so long as they can pay for them.
but it will not make presents to lawless
sections on the borderland. The latter
must get their rifles from traders, and
this they are doing.
Their rapid rearmament is serious
matter enough, but the position would
be aggravated If they were allowed to
draw freely upon stocks that have been
accumulated in Kabul.
According to Simla correspondent
the factories in Kabul are now turning
out quite excellent seven-shot repeat
ing rifles. and these are being dis
tributed among the Afghan troops at
all their principal military stations.
keen satisfaction at the nature of the
work in Kabul; to have raised the pay
Of the factory hands 10 per cent, and to
have given them silver medals as a
mark of his pleasure.
Moreover, there is very little doubt
that special facilities are being af-
forded the poorer Afghan subjects, by
means Of advances and in other ways.
to arm themselves generally VITA
fairly good weapons; and it il an es-
the encouragement given to the arms
traffic by the Afghan authorities The
border tribes are steadily arming them
selves with far higher class weapon
tndH tney nave nltHerto possessed.
In Tirah," adds the same correspond
ent, where the tribesmen have hither-
to been buying a cheap rifle of German
pattern. they have now ceased to pur-
chase this weapon and are investing in
a higher class rife. Certain rifles OF
particular brands have a great popu-
larity across the border and command
very high prices.
The Indian government is watching
the whole position with considerable
concern, as it is certain that an ex-
petition in Tirah. for instance. should
such be necessary in future, will be
much more serious affair than was the
expedition a few years ago. But as the
profits in certain recent arms transact
lions, through the Persian gulf have
apparently ranged from 200 to 400 per
cent, the question is by no means an
easy one to deal with, as there is no
limit to the 'backsheesh' which success.
full trades are able to afford