CONSULATE BURNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 67, 29 December 1928, Page 5

CONSULATE BURNED

FRONTIER TROUBLE.

AFGHAN REBELS AT JALALABAD. DRIVEN BACK FROM KABUL. , United Press Association —Copyright). LONDON, December 28. The rebels are being d'liven from the Kabul bazaars, which are reopening. A gang of bandits has been repulsed by Afghan troops and driven into the hills. The Jalalabad situation is improving, and negotiations are being conducted between the rebels and Afghan officials. A Peshawar report says that the British Consulate at Jalalabad was burned during a recent attack by the Shinwaris and the Consul’s life threatened for refusing to give up the Legation money. Tire Constantinople correspondent of “The Times” says that the Afghan officers who were being trained with the Turkish Army have been recalled. It is reported that Kiazim Pasha, of the Turkish Military Mission, who was proceeding to Afghanistan to act as instructor to the Afghans, lias been ordered to remain in Bombay.—“ The Times” and United Service.

KABUL REPORTED QUIET. SEVERAL REPORTS DENIED. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 28. The Afghan Legation announces that official cable advice from Kabul declared that Kabul is now normal ' The Government forces dislodged rebels and are now pursuing them. The Legation denies that the Mohamands joined iShinewaris, but, on the contrary, they are fighting for the Government. The Shinwaris were compelled to retreat near Jalalabad. The Government is still attempting to conciliate the Shinwaris. . Reports that King Amanulla is abdicating in favour of his son are also denied.—Australian Press Association.

DIPLOMAT’S NARROW ESCAPE. (Received This Day, 9.15’ a.m.) • DELHI, December 28. During the operations at Kabul, the British Minister (Sir F. H. Humphreys) had an amazing escape from a bullet, which shattered a mirror while he was shaving.—United Service.

KING’S REFORMS ILL-ADVISED. LONDON, December 27. “The Times” military correspondent states: King Amanulla, after Ins return from his tour, .seems to have adopted, without adapting, Mustaplia Kemal’s tactics, forgetting that he Las not the weapons wlncli the luikisn dictator so skilfully wielded. , The stability of King Amanulla* throne depends on the army. In® Afghan soldier is a conscript, and often an unwilling one, with ms meagre pay months in arreais. Ihe re-importation of Turkish military instructors, who showed such galling superiority toward the Afghans that Amir (Amanulla’s father) dispensed with their services, may he largely the cause of the reported disaffection among a portion of the Royal troops. Probably the causes of unrest he far deeper than reforms; these may supply the snark, hut the tinder lies in antagonistic tribes’ and sects’ interests. Any attempt to enlarge Afghanistan s external influence may endanger her still incomplete internal unity. It is peculiar that the rebellion appears to lack a leader. No rebellion can long exist on mere negation, such as hostility to reforms. —“The Times Cables.

removal of women. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 27. The women and children already evacuated by British aeroplanes fiom Legations aff 1 Kabul other than the British ’Legation, are'.—Sixteen Germans, ten French, one Swiss and one Rumanian. Arrangements have been made for British aeroplanes to bring from Kabul to Peshawar the women and children of the following further nationalities: —Italian, American, Peisian, Turk and German. It was hoped to carry out the evacuation of some or these yesterday, but snow fell heavdy and made it impracticable. The difficulties attending their rescue by air are of course very considerable. The distance from Kabul to Peshawar is 160 miles, and the aeroplanes have to fly not only over wild country inhabited by hostile tribesmen, but also over lofty mountain peaks. Every precaution has therefore to be taken.—British Official Wireless.