Rebels Pushed Back

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 546, 26 December 1928, Page 9

Rebels Pushed Back

AFGHAN SITUATION IMPROVES All Quiet at Kabul Yesterday (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 10.50 a.m. DELHI, Tuesday. THE situation in Southern Afghanistan has improved, but the frontier tribesmen are watching events at Kabul. It is not known how they will turn. It is admitted that there have been desertions from the army but the majority are now rallying to the throne.

The British Legation was for three days a no man’s land between the rebels and the State forces. A military attache’s house has been destroyed by shell-fire, but the rebels have now been pushed back. The revolution is believed to be due to King Amanullah’s defiance of the Mullahs, his impetuous introduction of reforms in connection with the education of women, a poorly-paid army, expensive buildings in the new capital, and high officials receiving small salaries. Radio communication between Peshawar and Kabul was re-estab-lished yesterday. It Is learned that King Amanulla is still in Kabul, but Queen Souriya and his mother have gone to Kandahar with the Court officials. The Afghan Government is now reasserting its authority. The rebels have received a distinct check. The British Legation is clear of rebels, and contact was established with the capital. Jalalabad is still besieged, and Its relief Is at present impossible, but the Mohmands are co-operating with the Afghan troops. A message has been received giving details of the removal of the European women and children from Kabul. A large troop-carrier plane and 20 Air Force planes flew from Peshawar and Risalpur to Kabul at the weekend and rescued the British women and children from the British Legation. Yesterday 25 women and children were taken from the French and German Legations, and arrived at Peshawar. An Air Force plane escorted 20 others. REASSURING REPORT PLANE RESCUES FRENCH AND GERMAN WOMEN (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 10.50 a.m. CALCUTTA, Tues. Passengers aboard a British airplane which arrived at Peshawar today from Kabul, reported that all was quiet in the Afghan capital. The passengers included 11 French women, 10 German women, and four

children, belonging to the respective legations at Kabul. Some were anxious about the safety of foreigners who had remained in the capital. THROUGH MOSCOW REPORTS FROM KABUL KING’S MOTHER TAKES A HAND (United Service) LONDON, Monday. The Moscow 5 correspondent of the “Daily News” says King Amanullah’s mother escaped from Kabul by an airplane and flew in it to Kandahar, 230 miles south-west of Kabul, to rally the southern tribes, with whom she is popular. King Amanullah’s wireless set is working again, and it is reported that the position in Kabul has improved. The rebels have been forced to evacuate Baga Bala, the fortified hill dominating the city wnich they, had held for a week, in spite of being bombed by an airplane and of an artillery bombardment. The main forces of the rebels were also driven from the suburbs of Kabul. The Government troops are still holding out in Jalalabad. The Mohmand tribesmen are moving to their relief. The British airplanes are again flying over Kabul, and the airmen are dropping warnings that the British residents must be respected. It is stated in Moscow that King Amanullah has at Kbul 11,00 regular troops and 10 artillery batteries with over 4.000 troops, and that there are six batteries In Jalalabad.