THE AFGHAN TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10286, 22 May 1919, Page 5

THE AFGHAN TROUBLE

OUTLINE OF THE POSITION,

(Received May 22, 1.20 a.m.) lieuter's ToJr-^vaiu. PESHAWAR, May 20. The Khyber Pass having ceased to be for the present a danger point, tho situation has developed at Kurrnm. With the exception of a few outlaws, tho Turis and Waziris are firm in their resolve to permit no Afghans in their territory. Plans have already been made to secure Kurrara against tho Afghans’ threat. Nothing has happened beyond the sniping of pickets at Parachinar. The stormy petrel Mullah Mir Sahib Jan Barshah, whom the troops call Jimmy Bradshaw, appealed to the Bajaur, hut was forced to leave. In 1915 he induced a combined force of Mohmands and, Swatis. to try and overthrow tho Government, with disastrous results. He recently visited the Mohmands. but tho latter, who were busy dividing loot obtained at Dakka, dismissed him. Frontier exports agree that except for' a few outlaws the tribesmen will not welcome tho passage of ill-disciplined Afghan troops through their territory. Only after many years of experience have they acquiesced in tho presence of British troops. Tho tribal country does not trust the Afghans as tho latter have no supplies, and are forced to exist on the country they are passing through. The Amir’s stay in Kabul is exciting comment, and tile army is demanding his presence at Jelallabad;

Official: No further operation is reported from Dakka. Yar Muhammad’s r>and at Chora is believed to have been dispersed, and sniping practically ceased in Khaibar. The situation in Kprrnm is -obscure. The Afghans are picketing Paiwnr bridge and adopting an aggressive attitude, firing on our pickets at night. Conditions are unsettled in Khost, where General Nadir Khan is commanding, and is expected to arrive at Matun on the 20lh with detachments of regulars and tribal Lascars.

Reports from other parts are satisfactory. the attitude of the tribes being good.