AFGHAN REBELLION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 73, 19 December 1928, Page 11

AFGHAN REBELLION

BROKEN OUT AGAIN MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED IN KABUL TRIBESMEN CAPTURE IMPORTANT POINTS The Afghan rebellion has broken out again, and martial Jaw has been proclaimed at Kabtd. Tribesmen have captured important points, and there has been heavy fighting with Afghan troops. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copvricbt.) (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 18, 7.35 p.m.) ' Delhi, December 18. The Afghan rebellion has again broken out. Martial law and curfew order has been proclaimed in Kabul. There have been many arrests. Afghan troops were heavily engaged with Shinwari and Khugiana tribesmen, who have captured two important points overlooking Kabul and an outpost at Kaja, inflicting numerous casualties. Afghan troops at Jalalabad have been attacked, and a detachment of regulars at Nimla surrounded by tribesmen. At present the foreign legations at Kabul are safe. BRITISH IN KABUL ARRANGEMENTS FOR WITHDRAWAL KING AMANULLAH’S REFORMS ("Times” (Rec. December 18, 7.35 p.m.) London, December 18. ■ “The Times” understands that the Indian Government has made all necessary arrangements for the jwithdrawal of the British from Kabul, all sixteen of whom are guests or members of the Legation staff. It is believed that they include four ladies ‘a,nd three children, including Lady Humphrys, the wife of Sir Francis Humphrys, the British Minister, and the wife and daughter of Sir Dennis Bray, the Indian Foreign Secretary, who are unable to depart owing to the Shinwari rebellion closing the Khyber Pass. “The Times” attributes the rebellion to King Amanullah’s zeal for reforms, including the Queen discarding the veil, the introduction of European clothes and customs, and the prohibition of polygamy, after the visit to Europe in 1928, causing offence to religious leaders. King Amanullah thus has forced the pace, despite the advice of both Afghan and British friends. Disasters to British Missions., It is recalled that disaster overtook three previous British missions to Afghanistan. Sir Alexander Burnes and 23 others were murdered at Kabul in November, 1841. Sir William Macnaughten was murdered six weeks later. Sir Louis Castagnari and a staff of three Europeans, 26 Indian cavalry and 50 infantry were massacred at the Residency at Kabul after a desperate defence in September, 1879. These incidents were the origins of the first and second Afghan wars.