The Clio messenger., 1921-09-29

ciety, Washington. ID. CO
Afghanistan, long almost synonym
for fanatical isolation from the rest of
the world. is at last apparently show
ing q desire to enter the family OF
nations. The Mosem kingdom, which
even now continues Its old policy of
exclusiveness pending the outcome OF
its negotiations, recently sent dele
cation Of mobiles to Washington to pc
titlon the United States for the es-
tablishment of diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries.
Afghanistan's eXcluslveness Is not
accidental. Situated between the
southern-growing empire Of Russia and
northern-spreadlng British India, it
has been the typical buffer state; its
natural excluslveness, due to religious
fanaticism, has been accentuated by
the political rivalries of its great
neighbors.
Forbidden Lhasa itself Is no more
exclusive than brooding, suspicious
Kabul. the capital of this isolate, un-
friendly realm of fanatic tribes, OF
rocks, deserts, irrigated valleys and
towering unsurveyed ranges.
Not single railway or telegraph
line has been permitted to cross this
hermit country or to run into 1t, lest
the pernicious ways Of the world leak
In. And the six or seven million people
have been hardly on speaking terms
with any other nation.
Few Foreigners Permitted to Enter.
Night and day, from stone watch
towers and hidden hooks along the an
cient caravan trails that lead In from
India, from Persia and Russia-trails
used long ago by Alexander and Jen-
ghiz Khan-sQuads of bearded, tur-
baned Afghans, with imported field
glasses and long rifles, have kept
watch against trespassers from with
out.
Only a few Europeans, mostly Brit
ish but occasionally also an Ameri-
can and now and then few Russians
or Germana, have been permitted to
enter this country and to sojourn for
a while In its curious capital. But even
on such rare occasions as when for
eign engineer or a doctor whose serv-
Ices are badly needed, is admitted by
the grace of the amir, the visitor Is
subject to q surveillance that amounts
almost to imprisonment. "Splendid
isolation" is a sort of Afghan tradition,
q conviction that the coming Of the
foreigner will mean the end OF the
amir and OF his unique, absolute rule.
AS IL is, no other monarch now
wields such undisputed authority or Is
In closer touch with the everyday life
OF his subjects. He personally runs
his country's religion and It's foreign
affairs, and he even slpervises much
Of its commerce. He also owns and
censors the only newspaper printed In
all Afghanistan. Incidentally, he keeps
So automobiles, and he never walks.
Even from one nearby palace to an
other he goes by motor over short
pieces of road built especially for his
pleasure.
Though the amir took no active part
III tile WOflu VIII, HC CihCi Stu II
with singular profits. His old and
once rival neighbors, Great Britain and
Russia. drawn together as allies In the
conflict, left him a free hand. In 1919
Great Britain officially recognized the
political independence of this much
buffeted buffer state, to whose rulers
sheshad so long paid fat annuity.
Keeps In Touch With the World.
Afghanistan, with an area of 245,000
square miles, is, next to Tibet, the
largest country In the world that Is
practically closed to the citizens of
other nations. But political life at
wary, alert Mohammedan Kabul Is In
sharp contrast to the medltatlve seclu-
sion and classic aloofness Of the Bud
dhIst lamas at Lhasa. Through agents
in India and elsewhere Amir Amanul-
lah Khan Is In close touch with the
worlds current events; and, as the