§ COLONEL LEGGE (St. George's, Hanover Square)To ask the Secretary of State for India when the title of the Ruler of Afghanistan was altered from Amir to King, and his style from Highness to Majesty; what is the reason for the alteration; whether it has been notified by proclamation in Durbar; whether it makes any difference in regard to the relations of Afghanistan with foreign Powers; whether the letter from the Viceroy of India of 22nd February, 1883, referred to in paragraph 3 of No. 4 on page 6, and the Agreement of 1873 between Russia and England, referred to in No. 5 on page 7 of. Cd. 2534 of 1905, can be printed and delivered to Members; and whether he will cause a map of Afghanistan, showing the boundaries agreed upon between the Government of India and the Amir, to be placed in the Tea Room.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) (1) The title of King was used by the late Amir of Afghanistan and was never questioned. Its use makes no difference in the relations of Afghanistan with foreign Powers so far as our Agreements with the Amir are concerned. (2) The Agreement with Russia of 1873 as to the boundaries of Afghanistan will be found in [Cd. 699] of 1873. It does not seem necessary to republish this Paper or the Viceroy's letter of 22nd February, 1883, which, as stated in the footnote to page 6 of the recent Parliamentary Paper, is printed on page 72 of [Cd. 3930] of 1834. (3) I will consider the question of preparing a map showing the frontiers of Afghanistan for the use of the House.