The visit of the Amir of Afghanistan to the Viceroy
of India is evidently giving great pleasure to our guest, and, we cannot doubt, will have the effect of improving the relations between him and the Indian Government. Though the Amir speaks a little English, his conversations with Lord Minto are generally conducted through an interpreter, the Amir speaking in Persian,—which in Afghanistan, as it used to be through- out India, is the Court language. On Thursday the Amir, escorted by a deputation from Lord Minto's bodyguard, visited the Viceroy in formal state. During the visit tea was brought in, and Lord Minto rose to help the Arnie to milk. Directly the Viceroy had taken his seat again the Amir got up quickly, saying, "I will help you." In a quarter of the globe where ceremonial formalities and etiquette are rigidly scrutinised these familiar courtesies, though they seem of small account to us, will no doubt be taken as important proofs of friendli- ness and goodwill. We sincerely hope that the intercourse between the Amir and the chief Indian statesmen will convince him that the British and Indian Governments have no desire in any way to infringe his independence, and that the very last thing in the world sought by us is the annexation of Afghanistan.
