1 JUNE 1929, Page 2

Afghanistan On Thursday, May 23rd, King Amanullah, accom- panied by

Queen Surayya,, and his brother Inayatullah Khan and his wife, unexpectedly crossed the Afghan frontier into India. King Amanullah acknowledged that he had, for the time being, abandoned hope of returning to the throne. Feeling in the country was too strong against him. For this he blamed the Mullahs. He and his brother announced their intention of going to Italy. His career is a singular example of the zeal for reform that outruns discretion. His earlier reforms were not ill-received in Afghanistan, and he might gradually have Westernized his country ; but he went so fast as to bewilder and antagonize all the classes in which tradition verges on fanaticism. Confusion is the prospect for Afghanistan. There is sure to be much fighting. The Amir of Kabul is far from secure, and it is said that Nadir Khan is a claimant to the throne.

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