certain amount of patriotic bias in this section.//
Amanullah's Father Habibullah click here for a recent TNT
report about a Turkistani youth in Afghanistan in 1915,
when King Amanullah's father ruled the country.
King Amanullah in Paris in late January 1928.
France also appeared to be in favor of maintaining the status quo in
Middle Asia. Nevertheless, it was crystal clear that caution was the
watchword in Paris. There were many things to do. The Afghan
prince has been studying at a university in Paris for six years. The
French showed the very well-educated King tank maneuvers and
other aspects of their military strength, while advising him of their
desire for arms reduction and the threat they feel from Germany,
along with a visit to the tomb of the "unknown soldier" and areas
damaged during the War.
The French were quite eager to advise the King about what to expect
in Germany but after staying in our country (Germany) for five
weeks, the King came to understand us. (President) Hindenburg's
royal bearing and regal manner represented the German Republic
with grandeur during this, the King's first official visit. The friendly
relations established with his father (Habibullah) during the War
and the favorable comparison between the German nation's heroic
struggle against the entire world in the War, and Afghanistan's pre-
1919 status, together with the current state of German politics, served
to win over the King, who is himself a military man.
With regard to giving the King a close-up view of our high industry,
the related presentations no doubt reinforced his inclinations toward
Germany. He visited 'Krupp' in Essen, 'Junkers' in Dessau, 'Siemens',
saw the health apparatus at the 'Shokfor' factory, the radio-telegraph
station facilities at Nauen and Witzleben, and he looked around at
the fair at Leipzig. The King also found time to visit historic Potsdam
and Sansusi. In addition, he was given an up-close-and-personal
acquaintance with German science and skills when he surrendered
himself to a German doctor's scalpel (tonsils removed after visiting
England.)
In Berlin, the King received a doctoral diploma from the advanced
sciences school, and in consultation with the German industrial and
economic specialists who accompanied him, a program for the future
exchange of goods between the two countries was set forth. This
program includes railroads, air travel, textile factories, the building
of chemical and sugar factories, drilling equipment and a large-scale
radio-telephone facility. Consequently, we have many reasons to be
pleased with the prospects for German-Afghan economic relations.
From the outset of King Amanullah's trip, the focus has been on the
Europe's political approach and, in particular, his stops in London
and Moscow, the two prior "protectors" of Afghanistan before it
achieved independence. Their blandishments, though, proved
ineffective, as the King rejected all their proposals and insinuations
politely but firmly.
King Amanullah in London, 1928.
It was very likely a sobering moment for the English King when he
saw a place of honor set at his table for his former political underling.
On the other hand, this must have been the high point of his European
visit and an official confirmation of equality for the Afghan King.
In any event, as King George greeted his guest, he proposed a toast,
saying that a "strong" Afghanistan was in England's interest and that
friendly relations between the two countries should increase. No
doubt, King George hoped Amanullah wouldn't get a similar toast
from the Russians.
Talk of a bilateral agreement was immediately and repeatedly denied
but England was eager to show the Asian, who is fond of pomp and
weapons, their entire inventory of land and air weaponry, as well as
their arms industry, in an effort to win him over to their side.
Amanullah became the first ruler to fly over Buckingham Palace and
he dove from above the clouds down to the sea. He even launched
a submarine's torpido. While he was on the deck of the "Nelson"
the Atlantic Fleet passed before his dazzled eyes.
//END of PART II//
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