OWN FREE WILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 13, 16 January 1929, Page 7

OWN FREE WILL.

KING'S ABDICATION.

Afghan Kingdom Handed To

Elder Brother.

8 FLIGHT.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 0.30 a.m.)

LONDON, January 15.

According to a message from New Delhi Prince Inayatulla has been proclaimed King of Afghanistan.

The Afghan Legation in London has informed the "Daily Telegraph" that it has received a message from Kabul in connection with the internal feud.

T"his says Amanullah, out of patriotic and friendly feelings and of his own free will, has handed over the kingdom to his elder brother, Prince Inayatulla. Existing relations with foreign countries will continue.

It is understood that Inayatulla is sympathetic to Britain. Consequently his relations with India are likely to be amicable.

The new ruler is a thoroughly orthodox Moslem and is greatly under the influence of the priests. It is improbable that he will repeat his brother's mistake of forcing unpopular reforms upon the people.

LAST STAND.

Amanullah Retired To Capital With Ammunition. CONCILIATION FAILS. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) DELHI, January 15. News of King Amanullah's abdication in favour of his brother, has caused a sensation in India, but information froiu Kabul shows that the military and political situation has been critical for some days. Big forces of rebels are attacking the King's troops around the capital and the Shinwaris and Khugianis surrounded a detachment of Afghan troops at Jagdalak. Apparently the King's withdrawal of the reforms failed to placate the fanatical tribal leaders. Just previous to the abdication Amanullah retired to Kabul, the capital, with large stores of ammunition, apparently prepared for a last stand.

BRITISH INFLUENCE.

German Press Says Prestige

Has Improved.

ANGLO-RUSSIAN STRUGGLE.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

LONDON, January 15.

Ever since the Afghan revolt the German Press has persistently inuendoed that there was now British influence behind the revolt. The "Deutsche Allegemeine Zeitung" says: "The abdication has improved British prestige. Even if they were perhaps wrongly considered the instigators of the rebellion the British Government, nevertheless, was interested in removing a monarch of Soviet sympathies. It is an important step in the Anglo-Russian struggle for influence in Central Asia."

The "Echo de Paris" says that Anmnullah proved hostile to the Delhi Government. It was not surprising if the rebels found a certain measure of benevolence on the north-west frontier.

KING'S CAREER.

"RIGHTFUL HEIR" SUCCEEDS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, January 15.

Kin« iuiullah joined his wife, Souriya, at ..andahar. His reign has lasted ten years. When his father. Amir Habibullah Khan, was murdered in February, 1919, the letter's brother, Nasrullah Khan, proclaimed himself Amir, but six days later Amanullah, who was the third son of the murdered ruler, claimed accession.

As he had the support of the army, control of the Treasury and the arsenal, his uncle, Nasrullah, and also the rightful heir, his elder brother, Inayatullah, who now succeeds him, proceeded to Kabul and made submission.

Amanullah, misled by some of his advisers, invaded India in May, 1919, but suffered such reverses that before the end of the month he asked for peace en the , ground of his youth and inexperience. This was granted and a treaty was signed at Simla in the following August. A further treaty, recognising Afghan independence, was signed at Kabul in 1921.