The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-11-07

~ state and a prize Germany
would like to control. For 1t
is broad door to India. The
entente-versus-Teuton contest for its
adherence is a gamble as delicate as
the spin Of a wheel. This contest may
turn on a single throw Of the dice.
II is not question Of influencing pub
lie sentiment through a thousand and
one approaches, any one Of which may
be abandoned If proved a mistake
without jeopardizing the other thou
sand, writes Basanta Koomar Roy In
sonality Of one individual-the Amir
Of Afghanistan. He is astute, ambi-
hous, conscious Of the balance Of pow
er he holds, and not unlearned in the
art Of watching the turn Of world
events. If this Is soil for intrigue and
influence, the pretty gamble between
the Briton and the German. which at
one period Of the war was at high
tension, can hardly be considered final.
ly settled, though the British claim
ut the present time.
Next to Turkey. Afghanistan Ii the
strongest country in the Mohammedan
world. 1t Is, like Switzerland, a noun
tain fastness, and this has given 1t its
independence as a buffer state. It's
people are fierce fighters, a quality
the British Raj had occasion to test
In the two Afghan wars Of 1904 and
1850. The dangerous nature of the
country's topography was also discov-
cred at this time. Afghanistan has
an area of 100000 square miles. inside
which both Germany and Bulgaria
could easily be placed.
The population is 100000, or as
large as that Of Holland. The
Aimaks, Ghilzais, Hazars, Kafirs,
Pathans, Tojiks and the Uzbegs are
the principal races of the population.
The great majority of the Afghans
are Mohammedans Of the Sunni sect,
but there is no such bitter animosity
between the Shias and the Sunnis as
between these sects In India. The
Afghan chronicles call the people Benz
Tsrail, and the people claim descent
from Saul, whom they call Talmut.
Nine years after the proclamation of
the mission of Mohammed, the AZ
ghans sent a deputation under Kais
10 Medina. The members Of the depu-
tation were converted to Mohamme-
danism. On their return home, the
Afghans embraced the new faith, and
even today high-caste Afghans feel
proud to claim descent from Kais.
Afghan Has Fine Characteristics.
The Afghan is of a remarkable race.
With long beard and flowing hair, he
walks with majestic step. He is kind,
Aospitable, grateful. He will do any
thing for a benefactor, but is corre-
Dpondingly severe with the treacher-
BUS, or avowed enemies. He is hand
some, hard-working, and capable Of en-
turing long privations. He has the
iespere+e fearlessness Of the Gurkah
"a terrible fighter-and the strong,
hnewy and stalwart physique of the
Sikh. He is a born horseman, an ex-
sellent shot, and uncompromisiRgly IA
talistic. He is exceedingly patriotic,
Ind guards the freedom and the honor
Df his country as jealousy as he
guards the honor Of his wife or wives,
Is the case may be. His fearlessness,
iatalism, physical strength and patri-
ptic fervor make him splendid SOL
iier.
Agriculture is the main occupation
pf the people. They have a remark
lble system Of irrigation, and every
lcre Of fertile land is under cultiva-
Hon. The products of the farms in
rlude wheat, barley, rice, lentils, to-
sacco, millet, sugar cane, lumber, cot
ION, grapes, castor-oil seeds, berries.
Industry is undeveloped, yet the coun-
ny is rich in mineral resources, par
ncularly iron and coal; gold, silver,
copper and lead; anthony, sulphur.
The industries include the making of
carpets, felts, silks and articles from
yoats' and camels' hair. Afghanistan
imports every year from India total
u $Z,1ZlCOU worth OF goods; ner I'M
ports from Bokhara alone reach to ST.
100000. Exports to India amount to
A.035.O0
Il 10 . Paternal Monarchy.
The government of Afghanistan Is
IN absolute, but paternal, monarchy.
The Amir is the executive and the ju- |
licial head of the state. He has q |
council which is composed Of Moham-
nedan priests, noblemen and the rep
of the people. This coun- |
I'll Is divided into an upper and lower |
,Ouse. He has cabinet ministers, but |
lone Is permitted to give any advice |
Inless asked for 1t. But, quite unlike |
Maybe He Was.