False, almost jubilant reports last
fortnight had it that King Amanullah of Afghanistan and Queen Thuraya
had been driven out of Kabul, their capital, by insurgents who objected
to the King's dictum that all male Afghans wear pants.Last week came more authoritative despatches. Amanullah had not fled.
Kabul, stoutly defended by loyal pants-clad troops, had not been
captured.To a British airplane from India, zooming above Kabul, the British
Minister Sir Francis Henry Humphrys signaled: “All is well. Do not land
on any account. Situation is improving.” The “situation” seemed to be
that rebel brigands were still in the vicinity of Kabul, though
repeatedly repulsed.Later in the week, however, the Court was moved from Kabul to Kandabar.
