Collectors of strange diplomatic incidents should certainly add to their
collection the astonishing experience of the German Minister in Afghanistan, who has bought a German woman in the open market in order to prevent her from becoming a slave. A few years ago this young woman met an Afghan merchant in Germany and married him. The couple lived in Afghanistan till her husband's death. The woman then discovered, to her amazement, that she had become the property of her brother-in-law. The brother-in-law, wishing" to realize," offered her to the highest bidder. The German Legation intervened in vain. At last the Minister was compelled to buy her in the open market. It is said that the price was high. This may be flattering to Germany, but, on the other hand, it is possible that the price was forced up against the foreigner. No doubt all the tricks of the trade are known at auctions in Afghanistan. Pedants may now ask whether the Minister has committed an unconstitutional act in buying a human being. Will not some writer of a libretto for a light opera cast his eye over this alluring story ?
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