AFGHANISTAN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16520, 12 May 1919, Page 7

AFGHANISTAN.

TRIBESMEN MARCH AGAINST

INDIA

WAR IMMINENT.

(By Cable.—Prw* A»^i*tl3n.—GopTyichi-) (Australian nnd N.Z C«bl« A»«oc»tion.) LONDON, May 8.

It is officially stated that t*> position in Afghanistan has chmge# with remarkable rapidity. JJisaffection has spread among the troop®, who demarnt vengcanco for tho murdered Ameer, Habibullah Khan. In spit© of tho ostontatious unanimity "vrith Trhich tlio r&' cent Durbar executed Colonel Ah Raw* and condemned N-asrulla lvnan to " lorn* imprisonment, it is now ope stated that innocent persons wero punisheu while tho real culprits escar.w - Amanulla Khan (a son of tho Mt« Ameer) fearing a rebellion, has resolved on the perilous measure of embarking 011 war against India, spreading stories among tho soldiery of trouble? in tho Punjab and depleting tho net bazaars at the mercy of Afghan mvudors. Tho Viceroy sent tho strongest oxpress message to AmanuUa- Klion, veying a stern warning, but without, success. Afghan troops aro now arriving at various points on tho border. The British troops aro already moving to their allotted placcs of concentration. Tho attitudo of tho tribesmen at tho moment, is admirable. Tho Afndis remain staunch. Tho Mohmands told Lieut.-General Sir G, ltoss-Kepel that they wore prepared to fight on our side. Much disunion is belioved to exist in Kabul. Amanulla Khan is reported to liavo visited Nasrulla Khan and Inavatulla Khan in prison and offered them their liberty in return for thoir leadinc an army against India. Both refused. Nasrulla is now believed to havo "been poisoned in gaol. Aeroplanes will probably play an important part in tho fighting. Tho Afghan and British forces aro rapidly nearing each other.

VICEROY REMONSTRATES

CALCUTTA, May 8. Lord Clielmsforcl has 6ent a strong remonstranc© to the Amoor of Afghanistan, demanding that his subjects bo restrained from their incursions on tho frontier. It is anticipated that sufficient Britisli troops are available to deal, promptly with tho trouble. OPPOSITION TO AMANtJLLA'S MOVE. MANY TRIBES REMAIN LOYAL. . (H«uUr'« TdAgramaJ ' (Received May 11th, 11.15 p.m.) SIMLA, May 8. The Khan of Khalat has sent a message to the Governor-General of Baluchistan deploring the insensate conduct of Amanulla Khan, and renewing the assurance of the unswerving loyalty of his tribesmen. The leaders of the Quetta community and tribesmen have done likewise.

Martial law has been declared in Peshawar. The Afghan postmaster in Pe&hawar, grossly abusing his position, distributed inflammatory literature. Subsequently he left the office, went to tho centre of the' city, surrounded himself with a gang of armed ruffians, and openly defied the British authority. A secret cordon was drawn round the city. The postmaster and his staff were surprised and surrendered, and Peshawar was cleared of the dangerous elements.

An Afghan force at Kotal, reinforced by enemy troops, advanced to Ashkehl, thus encroaching on territory within the British limits. A small force of Afghans and Regulars have moved into Afghan Mohmand country with the object of stiffening any tribesmen whom they may succeed in raising. A significant feature is that the Ameer's exhortation failed to enlist the sympathies of the independent tribes, from whom he expected immediate support. The Afndi mullahs informed the political agent at the Khyber Pass that our troops would be welcome at Ali Masjid. They are picketing Chora Kandam and other pointß-' south of the Khyber Pass. None of the Lashkar tribesmen responded to the Ameer's appeal, and his emißßaries received no support in Waziristan. The Government has proof that disloyal agents in India have been communicating with the Ameer.

[Habibullah Khan, the late Ameer, was shot dead on February 20th. and his death was specially deplorable because he had shown himself a firm and consistent supporter of the Allied cause and a reliable friend of Britain. On bis death his brother, Nasrulla Khan,»announced. 1 , that he had been acknowledged Ameer, and he was proclaimed Ameer. at Jellalabad, Inayatulla Khan, the late Ameer's eldest son, waiving his claims, in his jmcle's favour. Amanulla, however, Habibullah's second Bon. proclaimed himself Ameer at Kabul, and'in March he arrested his undo and his brother.']