AMIR'S WANING POWER

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 126, 28 May 1919, Page 5

AMIR'S WANING POWER

ARMY CHIEF SEIZING REINS.

BRITISH PLANES' GOOD WORE,

IRREGULAR TROOPS SCATTERED.

SIMLA, May 27. Aeroplanes bombed munition factories in Kabul, registering seven hits. A heavy explosion followed. A second raid on Jelallabad proved effective. Several military buildings were seen in flames. Aeroplanes also attacked and scattered tribal levies, or bodies of irregular troops, in Gandao Valley. Evidence is accumulating that power in Afghanistan is passing gradually into the hands of Sales "Mahomed, the Com-mander-in-Chief, belonging to the Nurani noble family. He was the trusted confidant of the late Amir, and although he finally joined Amanullah, he is acquitted of complicity or knowledge of the murder of Habibullah. This fact is important because, in spite of the Afghan predilection for violence and crime, the murder of the Amir and the subsequent execution of an innocent man were the cause of indignation in Afghanistan, and even the border Pathans seem horror-struck. The adherence of Sales Mahomed alone kept Amanullah on the throne. It remains to be seen which of these planned the invasion of India. Both seem to have been misled regarding the internal situation in India. The Afghan postmaster at Peshawar, who is welleducated but ill-balanced and emotional, received exaggerated reports of the Indian, sedition and the Punjab riots, and told the Amir the time was opportune. It is important to note that the Afghan army leaders all say they have jbeen ordered to make peace, but they fSemselves are unwilling to return to their own country, whatever happens. Profound peace is reported on the Dakka front. The Afghans in Kurram have not crossed the Peiwar Kotal. There are signs of activity in the Mohmand Country, where the Mullahs and Jan Badshah are endeavouring to foment trouble.— (Reuter.)