TROUBLE IN INDIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10277, 12 May 1919, Page 5

TROUBLE IN INDIA

AFGHANISTAN COURTS WAR VENGEANCE FOR MURDERED AMIR. By Telegraph—Prpss Association— Copyright Ans. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Eeuter. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. It is officially stated that the position in Afghanistan has changed with remarkable rapidity. Dissaifectiou has spread among the troops, who have demanded vengeance for the late murdered Amir Habibullah. Despite tue ostentatious unanimity with which the recent Durbar executed Colonel All Kaza and condemned Nasrulla to jirelong jail, it is' now openly stated that innocent persons have been punished and the real culprits escaped. Amamulla, fearing lebelhon, resolved on the perilous measure of omoarking on war against India, spreading false stories among the soldiery, or troubles in the Punjao depicting bazaars being at the mercy of the Afghan invaders. Tho Viceroy sent the strongest expdess message to Amamulla, with a stern warning, without success. Afghan troops are now arriving at various points on the border. British troopo are already moving to allotted places of concentration. The attitude of the tribesmen;at the moment .is admirable. The Afridis remain staunch. The Mohmands- told Rooskeppel that they are prepared to | fight oh our side. Much disunion i» believed to exist at' Kabul. Amamulla [is reported to have visited Nasrulla. and fnayatulla in prison, and offered them liberty in return for

their leading an army against India. Both refused. Nasrulla is now believed to have been poisoned in jail. Aeroplanes will probably play an important part in fighting the Atghah. The British forces are rapidly Hearing each other. additionalTaeticulars. (Received May 11, 11.10 p.m.) SIMLA. May 10. An Afghan force at Kotal reiniorced the enemy troops and advanced to Ashkehl. thus . encroaching on, .territory within the British limits. A small force of Afghan regulars have - moved into the Afghan Mohmand country, with the object of stiffening any tribesmen whom tho>y may supoeed in raising. • A sigificant feature is- that tho Amir's exhortation has failed'to enlist the sympathies of' the independent tribes, from whom he expected immedisupport.

Afridi mullahs informed a political agent «t Khyber that our troo.ij> wju. be-welcomed at Alimes.jed. They are. picketing Chora Kandam and' other points south of Khyber. None of the Lashkar tribesmen have responded to the Amir's appeal, and his emissaries received no support in Waziristan. The Government has proof that disloy*: agents in India have been commuicating with the Amir.

ENCOURAGING MESSAGE FRO At simla. ..,.. .._„:;.,

Reuter's Telesram./ deceived May 11, 11.10 p.m.) SIMLA, May 8. Khan Khala has sent a message to the Governor-General of Baluchistan deploring the insensate conduct of .Anion Ulla, renewing his assurance ot the unswerving loyalty of bis tribesmen. The leaders of the Quetta community Knd tribesmen have done likewise. Martial law has been declared ,ui, Peshawar. .„(,„.,.:„ c,...

A'V Afghan postmaster in.;. Peshawar is grossly abusing his position by distributing inflammatory literature. Ho subsequently left his office and went to tfiei centre of the city and surrounded himself with a gang of armed ruffians and openly defied British authority. A secret cordon was drawn round the city, and the . postmaster and his staff were surprised. They surrendered, , arid Peshawar was cleared of dangerous elements.

REMONSTRANCE TO AFGHANISTAN.

CALCUTTA, May 8. Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy, has sent a strong remonstrance to the Amir of Afghanistan, demanding that the subjects of the latter shall be restrained from incursions across the frontier. It is anticipated that sufficient British troops will be available to deal promptly with the trouble.