Afghan Outbreak.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 May 1919, Page 5

Afghan Outbreak.

AMIR GUILTY OF (TREACHERY,

SIMLA, May 10

The Afghan position on Friday followed the crescent of a ridge dividing Landi Kotal from the plains of Afghanistan. Small detachments are at Ashkcl and Pirukel, which are within the British limits. • The enemy force is estimated to number -±OOO Afghan infantry, with eight guns, also 3000 tribesmen. The main strength is concentrated at Begs, commanding the water supply to Eaudi Kotal. Our advance troops, under General Crocker, pushed forward and ejected the enemy from Ash(kel and advanced thence down the pass. The first objectives were carried, enabling the troops to cover the concentration of forces operating in the Khybcr area. Aeroplanes co-operated effectively with the troops’ movements. The Viceroy issued a proclamation in which he states that there is reason to apprehend that Afghanistan’s breach 'of faith* with India is possibly the long-delayed fruits of efforts by friends of Germany, who had failed to secure the loyalty of the late Amir. The Viccroj* holds evidence showing that the present Amir is guilty of treachery by pretending t,hat. India is in a state of revolution, which would re-act in Afghanistan; that Germany is about to recommence the war; and that the English will be destroyed. Leaflets containing false information were prepared for dissemination in India, and it was planned to buy or corrupt certain newspapers. The Viceroy warns the natives that a criminal and wanton incursion will meet with speedy punishment, and appeals to the people of India to assist the Government to crush the enemy of peace in India, and refrain from giving colour to false stories which arc being assiduously disseminated.

No further operations are reported from Landi Kotal.

Excellent results were obtained by an air raid on the headquarters’ camp at Dakka, Afghanistan, on the 9th. Naib Sailar, of Jalimabatt, in command at Dakka, was seriously wounded. No further reinforcements of Afghan regulars have reached Khost, but considerable liveliness prevails along the Kurram border. All is quite in other frontier areas. DISTINCT ACT OF INVASION COMMITTED. AFGHANS EJECTED FROM A POSITION. Received May 14, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, May 12. An official British communique

states the Afghans, heavily reinforced, reached the heights overlooking Landi Kotal, which is indisputably on the British side of the frontier. The Afghans thereby committed a deliberate act of invasion. We later expelled them, and an aeroplane co-operating with us, bombed Loudakk with good results. There is some unrest, at Peshawar, where martial law has been proclaimed. The situation improved after a number were arrested.