Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-06

reported, that ex-Ameer Amanullah of
Afghanistan, now an exile in Italy, has
been converted to Roman Catholicism.
Rumor to that effect has panied him
deeply" though his feelings toward
Christians are brotherly, even tender.
How could it be otherwise, since Christ
was an authentic prophet, though only
procursing and secondary to Mahomet?
Misfortune has not soured his majesty;
it has mellowed him. He will not urge
his return to the throne; but II his
people summon him back he will for
their good, not his own happiness.
gladly return"
China.-The American Red Cross,
through its central committee, has de-
ctded not to embark on famine relief
in China. this decision being based upon
the report rendered by special Red
Cross commission. which within recent
months made close personal inveSti-
cation of the famine area.
The central committee finds that, as
the result Of abundant rainfall normal
climatic conditions are returning to the
chief famine areas; that the destitu-
ton prevailing in those areas is ''the
cumulative result of chronic conditions
Of disorder, of the crushing exactions
Of the war lords, of the depredations of
bandits, Of the enforced payment of
confiScatory taxation, and Of the Grip
pling Of the railroads. severe
drought merely Gaping the climax. so
10 speak; and that these conditions
do not present situation which can
adequately be dealt with by q foreign
warrant an appeal by the Red Cross
to the generosity Of the American
people" ...
The American Red Cross as con-
WINGED that only q wise, strong, stable,
central government can command the
power and resources and the continuity
Of policy necessary to lead China out
of which must involve continuous SUI
fering with hideouS crises. ITO extend
foreign relief to China in the absence
Of conditions plainly Gin main parO
due to an act of God could not but re-
tard her ultimate recovery"
The investigating commission pointed
out that enough food existed in China
as a whole to have prevented starva-
ton In 1928 and 1929 had 1t been
properly distributed; that. however
perhaps as many as 65,000,0 900 persons
did critically suffer from lack of food.
The decision Is undoubtedly correct
I reserve comment on the political and
military developments.
| X X X
Japan.-Baron Tanaka, president of
the Seiyukai party and only the other
day premier, Is dead. He rendered dis
tinglished service as staff officer in
the rank Of full general. He was minis
ter of war in three cabinets.
But as premier he was not successful.
Especially In his Chinese policy he dis
PLAYED that lack Of imagination which,
despite the examples Of Caesar, Cron-
we'll and Napoleon, the world is apt to
associate with the soldier-statesman
Some resemblance. is seen between him
and Gen. Grant. His personal In
was, it seems, too susceptible to the i'm
portunity of corrupt, intriguing per-
sonal friends, and he left his party I'M
der a cloud Of scandal. Its vice presi-
dent, who was minister of railways in
the Tanaka government. was recently
clapped in quod, charged with corrup-
ton in the conduct Of his portfolio,
and it is rumored that this Is but o be-
ginning, q preliminary Whit from a
Cloud of mephitic exhalations about to
stun the national olfactories. Let US
hope that rumor exaggerates. At any
rate. whatever the deficiencies OF
Tanaka the statesman, even his enemies
admit the virtues and graces OF Tanaka
/ the man; his geniality, 1rankness,
magnanimity and loyalty.
/ u r r y
Egypt.-The Egyptian cabinet headed
by Mahn1oud Paslla resigned on Ccto.
Der i. ABLY Pasha, moderate ana
hitherto premier for three terms, has
formed q new ministry, which Is to
carry on over general elections which
almost certainly will be held ere long;
| after which q Wafd, or Nationalist
ministry is indicated. The fate OF the
Anglo-Egyptian treaty recently offered
by the new British government hangs
upon the developments. It Is reported
| that Nal1as Pasha, the Wafdist leaoer,
has assured the British government tnat
AZ will mt oppose acceptance OF the