AFGHAN TROUBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 183, 4 August 1919, Page 7

AFGHAN TROUBLE.

FRIENDSHIP FOR BRITAIN. "NEVER BEEN VIOLATED." CLAIM OF TH EDEtBGATIOKT. » (Received 2.45 p.m.) SIMLA, August 1 (delayed). 1 The president of the Afghan peace delegates, replying to Sir Hamilton G-ant, the head of the British delegation -tressed the fact that Afghanistan was firm iv its friendship for Great Britain '+£ £ eV<?r violated dt - He protested that . the British Government refused to allow [ the tribes to be placed under Afghan rul» . aand later during the European war the . Afghans' anxiety regarding the safety of . the holy places of Islam had made them . feel hopeless. The introduction of mar- ; tial law and other legislative measures I caused disturbances, excited the Afghans ; and led to the posting of troops on the frontiers, resulting in misunderstandings !on both sides. The reason for bloodshed amoncrst the tribes was that each party • considere dits religion was true, and ■ attempted to destroy others. • Referring to the recent troubles in the Islamic world, the president said that with international relations expanding en all sides, how could Afghanistan tcmain content, confined within its limited ■ freedom? The hearts of all the Islamic Peoples bed gone out to Turkey, and the iMiltan's Jeha4 affected the hearts of all Afghans If the European war had ended before the surr ssination of the Amir a temporary disturbance like the present Afghan war would not have oc- ■ purred. The feeling of the Afghans had long been kept under, but when the voices of India were raised the Afghans who w=re always sympathetic with the Indians, could not suppress hteir feelings 'Th* Ami rlrad oDenly agreed with his people, but secretly by strategy he tried to keep them quiet. He meant to introduce reform?, but mistakes of officers on both sides brought about an unexpected state of affairs. He assurred the British Government that the Afghan swere anxious for renewed friendship and its permanent endurance.— (Reuter.)