DISAFFECTION IN AFGHANISTAN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 5

DISAFFECTION IN AFGHANISTAN

AMIR DECIDES UPON WAR WITH INDIA

BRITISH TROOPS MOVING TO

FRONTIER

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright

(Eec. May 11, 5.5 p.m.)

London, May 8. It is officially stated that the position in Afghanistan has changed with remarkable rapidity. Disaffection has spread among the troops, who have demanded ven?eance for the late murdered Amir Hnbibullah. Despite the ostentatious unanimity with which the recent Durbar exeouted Colonel Ali Itaza and condonined Nasriillah to imprisonment for life, it is now openly stated thnt innocent persons were punished and the real culprits escaped. Amir Amanullah, fearing a rebellion, resolved upon the perilous measure of embarking on a war against India. He spread false stories among, the soldipry of troubles in the Punjab, and depicted the rich bazaars at the mercy of the Afghan invaders. The Viceroy of India (Lord Chelnisford) sent the strongest express message to Amir .Amanullah, conveying a fitern warning, but without success, and Afghan troops are now arriving nt various points on the 'border. British troops are already moving to allotted. places for concentration. The attitude of the tribesmen at the moment is admirable. The Afridis remain staunch. The Mohmands told Sir George Roos-Keppel (Chief ■ Commissioner of the North-West Frontier province) that they were prepared to fight on our side.

Much disunion is believed to exist at Kabul. Amir Amanullah is reported to have visited Nasrullah and Inayatulla (eldest son of tho late Amir Habibullali) in prison and offered them their liberty in return for their leading the army against India. Both refused. Nasrullah is now believed to have been poisoned in gaol. Aeroplanos will probably play an important part in fighting tho Afghan. The British forces ore rapidly nearing each other.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Router:

[Immediately after the murder of the late Amir, his brother Kaerullah was proclaimed Amir at Jellalabdd, with the consent of the looal notables. The late Amir's eldest son waived hie claim to the throne. Nasrullah's succession, however, ■was not recognised at the oapital, when* Amanullah, the late Amir'e third son, as. sumed the throne; and Nasrullah subsequently made submission to him.l THE INCURSIONS ACROSS THE FRONTIER VICEROY SENDS REMONSTRANCE TO AJJJIt. Calcutta, May 8. Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy, has seut a strong remonstrance to the Amir of Afghanistan, demanding thnt the subjects of the'latter shall be restrained from incursions across tho frontier. It is anticipated that sufficient British troops will be'available to deal promptly with the trouble.—Aur-.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ASSURANCES FROM LOYAL TRIBESMEN

MARTIAL LAW DISCLAKED AT PESHAWAR. i (Eec. Mny 11, 11.10 p.m.) Jiimla, Jlaj 8. The Khan of Knlat sent a message to the Governor-General of Baluchistan deploring the inseusiite conduct o! Amir Amanullah, and renewing assurance of the unswerving ioyalty of his tribesmen. The leaders of the Quetta community turn the tribesmen have done likewise.

Martial law has ueen declared in Peshawar. Tho Afghan postmaster in i'esiuiwnr, grossly .musing his position, .distributed inflammatory literature. Hu subsequently left the cmoc, went to the centre of the city, surrounded himself with a gang of armed ruffians, and openly defied "British authority. A secret cordon 'was drawn round tue city. Tho postmaster, arid his staif, ..who wore surprised, surrendered, and Peshawar was cleared of the dangerous elements.—Bouter. .. ' ' .

Simla, ' May 10. An Afghan force at Kotal reinforced the enemy troops, who advanced to Ashkchl, thus, encroaching on territory wuuin the British limits. A small iorce of Afghans and regulars has moved, into the Afghan-Mohiuand country with tho object of stiffening any tribesmen whom they may succeed in raisiug. A significant feature is that the Amir's exhortation failed to enlist the sympathies of independent. tribes from whom he ha.d expected immediate support. The Afridi niullars informed the political ngent at Khyber that our troops "would be welcome at Alimeejid. They nre picketing Chora Kandam and other points south of Khyber. None of the Lashkar tribesmen responded to the Amir's appeal, and his emiesaries received no support in Waziristan. The Government has proof that disloyal agents in India have been communicating with the Amir.—Beuter.