The Constitution and Laws of Afghanistan. By Mir Mania! Sultan
Mohammad Khan. (John Murray.)—It must be con, fessed that few Englishmen have regarded Afghanistan in the light of a constitutionally governed country. Nor does our author contend that it is. He quotes, for instance, from Mr. Elphinstone's "Kingdom of Kabul." giving comments of his own, Which tend to show that the Ameer is about as absolute a Sovereign as. well can be. Here are some examples :—
Tzar. Costatiners.
The A.meer " cannot cede any "He can if he chooses." parte/I the territory occupied by Afghan tribes."
"He cannot increase the settle- ment of the land revenue."
"The King cannot resume the grants of his predecessors."
"The Customs duties have never been altered."
A part of the administration of justice has been left to the international government of the tribes."
The situation is summed up in one sentence: "There is no rival "He has power to change this, and has changed it."
"The present Arair has resumed them all."
"He has the power to alter the Customs, and has done so."
"He has abolished the govern- ments of all the tribes ; his is now the sole government."
to the present Amir—there is only one King, one power, and one law." But nevertheless our author thinks that "it will be to the benefit of his subjects if his reign is prolonged." Would Meagre. Naoroji and Dut-t like to exchange British government for the
Amir's ? Here is a native ruler ready to their hand. .
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