The Coolidge examiner., 1934-10-26

A few months later this honored
guest of modern Europe was driven
from his palace in Kabul. Kipling
wrote the epitaph of such. Aman-
ullah, like other enthusiasts, tried
to hustle the East"
OF course. IL Is fantastic to sug-
| gest that the Afghans overthrow
their energetic king simply over a
| question OF dress; because village
| girls were forced to attend school
without the consent of their par
/ ents; or even because the consent
of the bride was made obligatory
for marriage. Economic and re-
ligious problems were involved, and
the Afghan reformer perhaps lacked
knowledge Of psychology.
In emulatlng Mustapha Kemal
pasha. Amanullah failed to real
ize that the Turkish leader. by saw
ing his country from division be-
tween foreign powers. developed a
newborn nationalism, whereas Af-
ghanistan was still divided against
/ itself by snow-clad mountains and
feudal customs under which tribal
loyalty was more potent than pa
trlotism.
His Deceptive Welcome Home.
Flattering contacts with western
civilization had weakened Amanul-
lah's Judgment and the cordiality
with which he was welcomed home
was deceivlng.
Kubal was in festal array. Cen
darmes In new red uniforms stood
In rigid lines between bright tri-
umphal arches. Afghan carpets by
day and colored lanterns by night
frightened the mud walls OF the
mountaIn-girt capital. which, like
Bucharest, made an earthen flower
pot for colorful crowds.
Tribesmen from the hills added
their cocky costumes and the
loop-the-loop footgear to the best
dress of the citizens. In a carni-
val atmosphere. horse-raeing and
theater with feminine roles were
introduced to strait-laced keepers Of
the Faith.
on a large wall map the itinerary
OF King Amanullah and Queen
Souriya was traced. On each seat
was a printed text OF the foreign
contracts and agreements which the
leader of the new Afghanistan had
signed-a striking case of political
cards on the table. of open cove
nants In every chair.
Films plcturing the fattering Eu-
ropean reception for the Afghan
royalty were shown. Evidently
there were older bits, for the
French professor who described
this amazing period in Kabul life
in 1923 complained that Partisan
women were pictured in too large
hats and too long skirts.
Soon after the triumphal return
OF the prodlgal king, opposition ap-
peared. Conservatives resented the
higher taxes which widespread re-
forms would entail. Mullahs and
mosque attendants objected to hav-
ing their government allowances
stopped. The rapid tempo of mod
erniZation brought confusion and
resentment, as did the change of
religious holiday from Friday to
Thursday. The fact that foreign
stvle coat was made of honest Af-
CHAN cloth did not mollify the self
conscious tribal delegates, who re-
taliated by accusing Amanullah Of
being negligent about his prayers.
When royal reforms threatened the
tribal order, the Shinwaris rose in
revolt.
Present-day Kabul is as inter-
esting for its scenes Of native life
as for its new political polices. 5
In Kabul hatters stuff cotton or
paper into top and side welts Of
gaudy skullcaps. while tailors fash
ion equally fiashy vests. Members
of chinaw0re or even of lemonade
glasses bore tiny holes in the pieces
and fasten them together with soft
copper brads. hammered In.
Shopkeepers sit amid their stock
and scoop away few dried peas
or a bit Of sugar or -four from neat
cones OF food-stuffs. jewelers. set
large stones like rubies into wide
silver bracelets with projecting
points like those on dog collars.