AFGHANISTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1919, Page 5

AFGHANISTAN.

THE ARMISTICE CONDITIONS. AMIR'S FRIENDLY LETTER,

Received June 23, 10.30 p.m. Ey Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. . Simla, June 22. The Amir's reply to the Viceroy's letter of June 3 reached Simla on the 18th inst. It is couched in terms of studied friendliness, and states that the Amir is impressed by the loving inclinations of the British nation. It alludes to Afghanistan's passion for independence, also to the newly awakened world spirit of freedom, and points out certain practical difficulties in the way of fulfilment of the terms in the literal. The Amir maintains that the withdrawal of the Afghan forces to a distance of twenty miles involves the uprooting of a thousand village tribesmen, a3 the Afghan forces consist of a levy en masse. The Amir accepts tlj; Viceroy's suggestion that Rawalpindi be the meeting place of the peace delegates. The Amir has appointed nine delegates, headed by Sirdar Ali Nata, Home Minister. The Amir expresses the hope of the establishment of friendly relations between the two governments.

The Viceroy's reply, while recognising the difficulties of a 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 a resumption of hostilities. The Viceroy is prepared to receive the Afghan delegates at Rawalpindi. He has appointed Sir Hamilton Grant, Foreign Secretary, chief o'f the British delegation.—Reuter.