The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1919. THE AFGHANISTAN TROUBLE
In the high lands of Eastern Afghanistan, which are bounded on the north of the snowy peaks of the Hindu Kush, or the Indian Caucasus, anterior Asia touches that "roof of the world" which is the geographic centre of the Con tinent, and in which India, the Chinese Empire, and the territories of immense Russia come together. A little disrtanee to the west, between the plains of Turkestan and the valley of the Indus, pass the routes which, have been in all tim? the most frequented, hence the extreme military importance of Afghanistan and the great role this country plays in the history of commerce and of popular migrations. Taken as a whole, Afghanistan may be considered a region of passage, separating two cradles of civilisation, Iran and the basin of the Euphrates, while Herat, Kandahar, Gharni and Kabul are often called "the keys of India." The first time that Afghanistan came into conflict with Britain was early in 1837 when, on the grounds tfeat Dose Muliammed had wrongfully fought against the British ally Ran jit Singh, and that the military plans of the jjrinces
revealed a hostile attitude towards India, the British Governor-Gen-eral of India, Lord Auckland, sent an Anglo-Indian force of 12,000 men and 40,000 camp followers against Afghanistan. On August 6 the British main force moved into the devastated Kabul, and already regarded the land as a fief of the Anglo-Indian Empire, only to he disillusioned by the farreaching conspiracy engineered by Dost Muhammed's son, culminat ing in the massacre at Kabul and the dreary retreat of the British. This disaster was, of course, avenged, but the peace was again disturbed in 1860. Trouble with Persia followed, and after Dost Muhammed's death his sons and grandsons quarrelled, and wild strife broke out, but eventually Sher Ali' was established on the throne. This treacherous monarch soon turned towards the Russians, who were approaching the northern boundaries of Afghanistan, and in consequence of his refusal to receive a British resident at Kabul, war was declared, General (subsequently Lord) Roberts being in command of the British forces, which completely defeated Sher Ali. A short peace ensued until the murder of the British Resident and his suite at Kabul, and again General Roberts settled matters. In a land containing so many claimants to the throne, however, it was not long before war broke out afresh, and General Roberts made a forced march to relieve Kandahar, but the following year Ayub Khan seized the city, though he was promptly defeated by Abdurrahman, who, together with his son and successor, Habib Ullah, maintained a friendly policy with Britain. The murder of Habib Ullah at the latter end of last February came as a startling surprise. Throughout the recent war he had remained steadfastly neutral, though German and Turkish agents tried to promote an Afghan attack on the north-west frontier. It is significant, however, that Habib Ullah had recently concluded an alliance with the Emir of Bokhara against the Bolsheviks, but whether his death was due to the Bolsjieviks or to one of the numerous aspirants to the throne is not known. It is tolerably certain, however, that disturbances in Asia would suit the Bolsheviks, and in the light of subsequent events there is cause for ( very grave' suspicion that the Bolsheviks may have had a hand in the murder. In view of Britain's experiences in the past with regard to Afghan troubles it was imperative that prompt measures should be taken to deal with the upheaval, and These measures are proving effective. That the Bolsheviks are actively participating with the object of causing disaffection and rebellion in India is beyond question. The menace has been patent for some time past, and the heavy reverses that are being inflicted on the Bolsheviks in Russia may add impetus to the propaganda work in connection with India, where a difficult factor in the political situation is the uneasiness of the Muhammedan community and the activity of the Home Rule Leaguers—the extremists whose avowed aim is to get rid of British rule. To deal effectively with the Afghans is a comparatively easy matter, but to counteract the machinations of the Bolsheviks may prove extremely difficult. In view of the necessity for maintaining tta prestige of British power, it is to be hoped that the Afghans will be treated with exemplary firmness, and that every effort will be made to counteract the intrigues aimed against British supremacy.
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Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1919, Page 4
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749The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1919. THE AFGHANISTAN TROUBLE Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1919, Page 4
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