THE AFGHANISTAN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 7

THE AFGHANISTAN TROUBLE

CAUSES ANALYSED BY MILITARY EXPERT REBELS LACK A LEADER (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ("Tinies” Cables.) (Rec. December 28, 8.45 p.m.) London, December 27. The military correspondent of "The Times” states that King Amanullah, after his return seems to have adopted without adapting Mustapha Kemal's tactics, forgetting that he has not the weapons which the Turkish dictator so skilfully wielded. The stability of Amanullah’s throne depends on the army. The Afghan soldier is a conscript and often an unwilling one, with meagre pay months in arrears. The reimportation of Turkish military instructors, who showed such galling superiority toward the Afghans that the Amir dispensed with their services, may largely be the cause of the reported disaffection among a portion of the Royal troops. Probably the causes of the unrest lie far deeper than reforms. These may supply the spark, but the tinder lies in antagonistic interests of the tribes and sects. Any attempt to enlarge Afghanistan’s external influence may endanger the still incomplete internal unity. It is peculiar that the rebellion appears to lack a leader. No rebellion can long exist on a mere negation such as hostility to reforms. EVACUATION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN GOOD WORK OF BRITISH AIR FORCE (British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, December 27. Following the rescue by air of the now taken to India the women and children from the British Legation at Kabul, Royal Air F„orce machines have now taken to India the women and children from the Legations of other countries. This was carried out in accordance with the requests made to the Foreign Office by the representatives of the Powers concerned. Arrangements have been, made to transport all other foreign women and children from the Afghan capital. The women and children already evacuated by British monoplanes from the Legations at Kabul other than British are 16 German, 10 French. 1 Swiss, and 1 Rumanian. Arrangements have been made for British aeroplanes to bring from Kabul to Peshawar the women and children of the following further nationalities:—ltalian, American, Persian, Turk, and German.

It was hoped to carry out the evacuation of some of these yesterday, but snow fell heavily and made it impracticable. The difficulties attending rescue by air are, of course, very considerable. The distance from Kabul to Peshawar is 160 miles and aeroplanes have to fly not only over wild country, inhabited by hostile tribesmen, but also over lofty mountain peaks. Every precaution has therefore to be taken. REBELS SUFFER REVERSE (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. December 28, 11.45 p.m.)

Delhi, December 28. The rebels are being driven from Kabul, and the bazaars are reopening. A gang of bandits has been repulsed by Afghan troops, and driven into the hills.

The Jalalabad situation is improving; and negotiations are being conducted between the rebels and Afghau officials.

BRITISH CONSULATE BURNED .

[Australian Press Assn.—United Service.

(Rec. December 28, 10.45 p.m.)

Delhi, December 28.

A Peshawar report says the British Consulate at Jalalabad was burnt during the recent attack by the Shinwaris and the Consul’s life threatened for refusing to give up Legation money. OFFICERS RECALLED (“Times” Cables.) (Rec. December 28, 10.45 p.m.) London, December 28. “The Times’s” Constantinople correspondent says that Afghan officers being trained with the Turkish Army have been recalled. It is reported that Kiazim Pasha’s Turkish military mission, which is en route to Afghanstan to act as instructors to the Afghans, has been ordered to remain m Bombay.