AFGHAN RISING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 203, 22 May 1919, Page 5

AFGHAN RISING

SITUATION WELL IN HAND

THE POSITION REVIEWED By Telegraph—Press Association—'Copyright' (Rec. Hay 21!. 1.20 a.m.), \ Peshawar,. .May 20, The Ivhyber having ceased to be for tho' present a danger point, t.he situation developed at Kurram. With tho exception of a few outlaws, the Turis and Wnziris were firm in their resolve to permit no Afghans in their territory. Plans had already been made to secure Kurram against an Afghan threat, and nothing happened beyond sniping at the pickets at Parachinar. The stormy petrel is the mullah Mir Sahib Jan lind"sliah, whom the troops call "Jimmy Bradsllaw,'' who has been forced to leave. In 1915 he induced a combined force of. Mohmands and Swatis to try to oveiv throw the Government, * with disastrous results. He •■ecently visited ilia Mohmands, but the tatter were busy dividing- the loot obtained at Dakka, and dismissed him. .

Frontier experts agree Viat , except for a few outlaws tho tribesmen, will not welcome the passage of ill', disciplined Afghan 'troops through their territory. Only after many years' experience have they acquiesced in the presence of British troops The tribal country docs not trust the Afghans, as the latter have no suppli'cs," and are forced to exist on, the country ilicy aro passing through. . The Amir's stay in Kabul is exciting comment. His army is demanding his presence at Jolallabad.

Official.—No further operation is reported from Dakka. Yar Muhammad's oaijd at Chora is believed to have been dispersed, and sniping has practically ceased in tho Khyber, The situation in Kurram is obscure. The Afghans aro picketing tho Pniwnr Bridge, and adopting an aggressive attitude, firing on our, pickets '<it night. Conditions are unsettled in Kliost. Reports from other parts are satisfactory. The attitude of the tribes is good—Renter.