AFGHAN TROUBLE.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 June 1919, Page 5

AFGHAN TROUBLE.

THE AMIR’S REPLY,

SIMLA, June 22.

The Amir’s reply to the Viceroy’s letter of 3rd June reached Simla on the 18th. It is couched in terms of studied friendliness. It states that the Amir is impressed the loving friendliness of the British nation. It alludes to Afghaniston’s passion for independence, also to the newly* awakened world spirit of freedom. It points out certain practical difficulties in the way of the fulfilment of terms in the littoral. The Amir maintains that the withdrawal of Afghan forces to a distance of 20 miles involves the up-rooting of thousands of villages of tribesmen,,as the Afghan forces consist of a levy en masse. The Amir accepts the Viceroy’s suggestion that Rawalpindi be the meeting place of the peace delegates. The Amir has appointed nine delegates, headed by Sa,rdar Ali Nata. Homo Minister. The Amir expressed a hope for the establishment of friendly relations between the. two Governments. The Viceroy’s reply, while recognising the difficulties in the literal fulfilment of the armistice terms, emphasises the point that modification is

impossible. So long as a single Afghan regular remains on our side of the frontier, peace negotiations are impossible. The only alternative is resumption of hostilities. The Viceroy is prepared to receive Afghan delegates at Rawalpindi. lie has appointed Sir Alfred Hamilton Gr i it, .Foreign Secretary, as chief of the British delegation.