AFGHANISTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1919, Page 5

AFGHANISTAN.

THE ENEMY'S STRENGTH. BRITISH BUSH FORWARb, EVIDENCE OF TREACHERY. Received May 13, 1.45 p.m. Simla, May 10. Ihe Afghan position on Friday followed the crest of a ridge dividing Landi Kotal from tUe plain? of Afghanistan. There were small detachments al Ashkel and Pirukel, which are within the British limits.

The enemy force is estimated to number four thousand Afghan infantry, with eight guns, also three thousand tribesmen. The main strength is concentrated at Bogs, commanding the water supply to Landi Kotal

Our advance troops, under General Crocker, pushed forward and ejected the enemy from Ashkel, and advanced thence down the pass. The first objectives were secured, enabling the troops to cover the concentration of forces operating in the Khyber area. Aeroplanes co-operated effectively with the troops' movements. The Viceroy has isued a proclamation, in which he states there is reason to apprehend Afghanistan's breach of faith with India, possibly the long-delayed fruits of efforts by friends of Germany, who had failed to seduce the loyaltv of the Tate Amir.

The Viceroy hotds evidence showing that the present. Amir is guilty of treachery, pretending that India is in a state of revolution which would react in. Afghanistan, that Germany was about to re-commence the war, and that the English would be destroyed.

The leaflets contain false information nrepared for dissemination in India, and it was planned to buy or corrupt certain newspapers.

The Viceroy warns the natives that the criminal and wanton incursion will meet with speedy punishment, and appeals to the people of Tndia to assist the Government'to crush the enemy of ppace in jndia, and Tefrain from giving color to the falie stories which are assiduously disseminated.—Reuter. "

AN AIR RAID. LIVELINESS ALONG BORDER. Received May 13, 9 p.m. Simla, May 11. No further operations are Teported from Landi Kolal. Excellent results were obtained by the air raid on the headquarters camp at Dakka, Afghanistan, on the 9th inst. Xaih Salar, of Jalimabad, in command at Dakka, was seriously wounded. No further reinforcements of Afghan regulars have- readied Khost, but considerable liveliness prevails along the Kurram border. All is quiet in the other frontier areas.—Aus N.Z. Cable Assoc.