AFGHAN REVOLT

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 4

AFGHAN REVOLT

A FURTHER OUTBREAK FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED. Press Ansooiation—By Telegraph—Copyright, DELHI, December 17. Tho Afghan rebellion has again broken out, and martial law and the curfew order have teen proclaimed in Kabul. There have been many arrests. Afghan troops have been heavily engaged with Shinwari and Khugiam tribesmen, who captured two important points overlooking Kabul and an outpost at Kaja, inflicting numerous casualties. Afghan troops at Jalalabad have been attacked, and a detachment of regulars at Nimla have been surrounded by tribesmen. At present the foreign legations at Kabul are safe.—Australian Press Association. KING’S ZEAL FOB REFORMS.

CAUSE OF REBELLION. Pros* Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 18. ‘The Times’ understands that the Indian Government has made all the necessary arrangements for the withdrawal of the sixteen British persons at Kabul, all of whom are quests of members of the legation staff. It is believed that they include Lady Humphrys, the wife of Sir Francis Humphrys, the British Minister, and the wife and daughter of Sir Dennis Biay, the Indian Foreign Secretary, who ar« unable to depart owing to the Shinwari rebellion closing the Khyber Pass. ‘ The Times ’ attributes the rebellion to King Amanullah’s zeal for reforms, including the discarding of the veil by the Queen, the introduction of European clothes and customs, and the prohibition of polygamy. This was after King Amanullah’s visit to Europe in 1928, and caused offence to the religious leaders. King Amanullah thus forced the pace, despite the advice ef both Ms Afghan and British friends. It is recalled that disaster overtook three previous British missions to Afghanistan. Sir Alexander Burnes and twenty-three others were murdered at Kabul in November, 1841, Sir _ William MacNaughten was murdered six weeks later, and Sir Louis Cavagnari and his staff of three Europeans, with from twenty-six to fifty Indian cavalry ami infantry, were massacred at the Residency at Kabul after a desperate defence in September, 1879. These incidents were the origin of the first and second Afghan wars.—London ! Times ’ Cable.