AFGHANISTAN: Red for Independence!

The ominous black standard of Afghanistan fluttered and crumpled down, last week, for the last time, from a tall flagstaff atop the National Assembly in Kabul.

At command from His Majesty King Amanullah, a new standard rose and streamed aloft. It was striped vertically black, red, green.

“Behold, my Loyal Subjects, our new flag!” cried His Majesty.

“Black! The old emblem was symbolical of Afghanistan’s oppression by foreign peoples. In the new flag the black stripe represents our past.

“Red! That stripe is our blood, shed for independence!

“Green, lastly, is the symbol of our germinating wealth and hope for the future.”

Noticed by a smart observer for the Associated Press, which has eyes even in remote Kabul, was a curious device emblazoned on the red or “independence” stripe. Two sheaths of rye encircle a chain of golden mountains over which rise the nation’s Star and the royal Sun. Thus is symbolized the popular title of King Amanullah, who is known to millions of his subjects simply as “The Peace of God.”

Afghanistan’s new flag is a further product of His Majesty’s consuming passion for Occidentalizing Afghanistan—a passion which he memorably indulged, last week, by compelling Members of the National Assembly to shave off their patriarchal beards, lay aside their flowing robes, and climb into pants, shirts, coats (TIME, Sept. 10).

The newly and uncomfortably garbed Assembly was summoned again, last week, put through Occidental paces and induced to pass bills of the following effect:

1) All titles and ranks except that of Royalty are abolished.

2) The previously hereditary Legislature is made elective.

3) Every citizen is obliged to pay five Afghan rupees and every State employee one month’s salary, into an extraordinary fund (distinct from the budget) to be at the disposal of His Majesty for the purchase of necessary munitions.

Though this stiff pill was swallowed without protest, the National Assembly proceeded to deadlock and then to balk when instructed by King Amanullah to pass a bill raising the marriageable age of females to 18. Occidentals may not realize that the chief distraction of many an aging Oriental is his new wife, aged say 14, or in extreme cases as low as seven. The Afghan National Assembly, however, positively declined to ratify the measure.

Soon after thus displaying firmness, the National Assembly warmed to rousing, unanimous support of a measure definitely fixing the succession to the Throne upon the eldest son of Their Majesties, H. R. H. Prince Rahmatullah.

Amid plaudits and huzzahs the Little Prince appeared upon a balcony, smiled down upon the sea of his father’s Loyal Subjects.