AFGHANS CEASE FIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 201, 20 May 1919, Page 5

AFGHANS CEASE FIGHTING

REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE AN IMPERTINENT LETTER By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Itec. May 19, IM' p.m.) .' Simla, May 15. ■The Afghan Commander-in-Chief lias sent a letter to the British political agent at Khvber asking for a cessation of hostilities, and stating that .British officers commenced an unlawful war without any declaration of lrni on any side, and by this aggressive step inflicted heavy losses on the civil population and army of Afghanistan %■ throwing bombs from aeroplanes. '1 he letter proceeds: In conseauence of the receipt of a letter by His Majesty the King of the independent kingdom of Afghanistan from the vice* rov of India, I am ordered to 6uspend the war thus unlawfully begun by your side until a further order. You are accordingly informed, that the war has been suspended until a final decision has been reached between Hib Afghan itlfi" jestv and the Viceroy." . ' . , The impertinence of this letter,is only exceeded bv its unblushing mendacity, for the Amir's violation of British territory which precipitated hostilities was entirely wanton and unprovoked, ino British Agent at Khyber has been instructed to send a message to the Atglian commander that if lie wants to sue for peace he should, address the. officer commanding the operations. E-eutor. (Bee. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Simla, May IV. The Mirs of Hunza and Nagar, and the Governors of Yasin, Paniala, Islikoman, and the Ghirz Gilghit Agency have placed all their services and resources at (lie disposal of the Viceroy against _ the Afghans. A party of Afghans established themselves a few miles above Arluvai, on tho river, hut flero. driven within ■ Afchun limits, leaving several dead. Dcsuito the Afghans' request for a cessation of hostilities they are still making eveiy effort to stir up tho tribes by means of agents and propaganda.-Eeuter.