AFGHANISTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1919, Page 5

AFGHANISTAN.

PEACE DELEGATES' ASSURANCES. OP AFGHAN FRIENDSHIP. • Bj"T»te*r*Bh.—Press Asn.— Copyright. Simla, Aug. 1. ■tfhe 1 prtgident of the Afghan peace dthfeitkm, replying to Sir D. Grant, strMsed, the fact- that Afghanistan was fim in-ife* friendship for Britain and had flerer violated it. He protested that the British Government had refuted to the tribes to be placed under Afghan hile, and later, during the European war, the Afghans' anxiety regarding the safety of the holy places of Islaffi had made them feel hopeless. The introduction of martial W and other legislative measures caused disturbances, excited the Afghans, and led to the posting of troop» on the frontiers, resulting iii misunderstandings on both sldeß. The reason of the bloodshed amongst the tribes was that each party considered that its religion was true and attempted to destroy the others. 'HcfSrrftig t6 the recent trouble In the Islamic world the president said that, with International relation* expanding '-sides, liow could Afghanistan renjain content to <be confined within its limited freedom? The hearts of all the Islamic peoples had gone out'to Turkey and the Sultan's jehad affected the hearts of all Afghans. If the European war had ended before the assassination of the Amir a temporary disturbance like the present Afghan war •would not have occupied the feelings of the Afghans. The Afghans had, long been kept under, -but when the voices of India were raised, the Afghans, who always sympathised with the Indians, Could not suppress their feelings. The Amir had openly agreed with his people, but secretly by strategy he tried to keep them quiet. He meant to introduce reforms, but the mistakes of officers on both aides brought about an unexpected state of affairs. He assured the British Government that the Afghans were anxious for a renewal of friendship and its permanent endurance,—Aus. N.Z, Cable Assoc.