Amir In London

Splendor and shouting, pomp and martial music marked the triumphal entry into London, last week, of the Amir of Afghanistan who styles himself "The Peace of God" and is parading with a resplendent suite through Europe (TIME, Jan. 23 et seq.).

Upon the station platform waited George V, cloaked impressively as a Field Marshal, and accompanied by Her Majesty. Beside them stood the unfamiliar apparition of ruddy and rotund Prime Minister Baldwin in full court dress, with tight knee breeches and a jingling sword. Ranged in the background were the Cabinet, My Lord Mayor of London Sir Charles Batho, many a civic dignitary, and finally, stretching away for blocks, the regiments of Guards. All these showy humans were mustered to remind the Sovereign of Afghanistan how mighty is the Commonwealth whose tutelary empire, India, lies at Afghanistan's back door.

Came at last the Afghan special train, chuffing slowly in from Dover. The Amir was first to descend, clad from neck to heel in a long grey cloak. He saluted the King-Emperor, clasped his hand and bowed, then turned to kiss the Queen-Empress' gracious finger tips. Meanwhile Queen Thuraya of Afghanistan had appeared at the door of her salon car and stood irresolute, ignored. Instantly Queen Mary, with ready tact, hurried across the platform to welcome in matronly fashion petite Queen Thuraya. The Amir, having ignored his Consort, made one more faux pas, a few moments later, as he rode beside the King-Emperor to Buckingham Palace. Although intently watched by thousands of Londoners, who teemed upon the sidewalks, "The Peace of God" unconcernedly blew his nose into his fingers and then wiped them in his dove grey cloak.

Further entertainment for Afghan Royalty, in London last week, included: 1) Banquets at Buckingham Palace, Guildhall, and the Foreign Office; 2) Lodging of the Royal Afghans in a suite of rooms at Buckingham Palace completely redecorated in the favorite Afghan colors, black & gold; 3) A review and sham battle staged by some 100 planes of the Royal Air Force, some of which bombed and set fire to a cluster of tents which might just as well have been an Afghan village; 4) Preparations for a great naval review at which Amir Amanullah would be given an opportunity to descend beneath the waves in a British submarine and would view upon the surface the visible embodiment of Sea Power.