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Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1929, Page 4

P winaps the most illuminating comment recently ofForal on the condition of Afghanistan is the statement of tlie “Dailv News” correspondent at Moscow that “the disintegration of tlie country is proceeding apace.” 'l'liis Is not particularly clear, hut it is almost as conclusive as any of the more

detailed reports that have yet reached the outside world. The bandit chief Bachai Sakao, who has usurped the throne at Kabul, seems to be supported chiefly by the mill lulus or priests who have stirred up the people against Amaiiullah’s ill-judged attempts to Europeanise his country. But his military resources seem to he limited, and in the meantime Amamilluh having made good his foothold at Kandahar, was recovered strength and is prepared to challenge: the • pretender to “an ordeal by battle” Seemingly ho will he supported by Nadir Khan, who arrivd from France at Bombay a few days ago ,declaring that he had come

to suppress the revolt. But Amaiiullah apparently expected aid, or at least sympathy, from Britain; and as both the British and Indian Governments are preserving strict neutrality, Amnnulhih has made a journey fiom Kandahar to Herat with the evident intention of getting into touch with the Russian officials there. The Bolsheviks arc naturally inclined t > exploit any possible opportunity in the East for their own benefit, and so we may shortly see at Kabul a revival of the anti-British activities which in the nineteenth century (as a writer in a northern paper points out) caused at least two Afghan wars and brought upon Britain one of the greatest military disasters ever experienced by her arms. We may be sure the general situation is the subject of close investigation. It would be a costly bid for Amannllah to secure the support of Russia, and that might bo only the beginning of his troubles. In any ease Russia is not in a too secure position from within, and at any time there might be a/national upheaval which will change the aspect of affairs. The fate of Afghanistan is therefore very much in doubt, and until force assorts itself adequately and assures peace, the future of the country will remain very uncertain. The conflicting interests are bent on personal power, and national interests aro evidently of secondary consideration. «s , - ■ -i