AFGHAN REVOLT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 9

AFGHAN REVOLT

KABUL NORMAL AGAIN REBELS DISLODGED ABDICATION OF KING DENIED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service I London, December 28. The Afghan Legation announces that official cable messages from Kabul declare that Kabul is now normal. The Government forces have dislodged the rebels, and are now pursuing them. The Legation denies that the Mohmands have joined the Shinwaris; on the contrary, the former are fighting for the Government. The Shinwaris have been compelled to retreat near Jalalabad. The Government is still attempting to conciliate the Shinwaris. Reports that King Amanullali is abdicating in favour of his son are also denied.

BRITISH LEGATION UNDER FIRE

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, December 28.

It appears from official information received that the British Legation at Kabul was under constant gun and rifle fire during the heavy fighting between the Afghan rebels and the Afghan regular troops, as it happened to be in the line of fire between the opposing forces. The British Military Attache’s house was destroyed by shellfire. The position was made worse by the fact that' some of the belligerents actually availed themselves of the shelter of the Legation outbuildings and walls, thus giving the impression to their opponents that they had occupied the Legation. By the retirement of the rebels to the north-west during the night of De-* cernber 24, the vicinity of the Legation became outside the fire zone.

On December 24, Kabul was deprived of electric light and power by the action of the rebel leader, Bacbasako, who diverted a stream which is used to provide it at JabaJ Suraz, fifty miles north of Kabul. As a result, Kabul was placed in darkness, and the Government arsenal and factories were brought to a standstill. It is understood that the Indian authorities will provide the female refugees of French, German, and other nationalities, who have been evacuated by British aeroplanes from Kabul to Feshawar, with railway tickets to Bombay or Calcutta, and small advances of money.

BRITISH MINISTER’S AMAZING ESCAPE

(United Service.)

Delhi, December 28.

During the Kabul operations, Sir Frederick Humphrys, the British Minister, had an amazing escape, a bullet shattering the mirror while he was shaving.

BUILDINGS WRECKED IN BOMBARDMENT

(Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 30, 5.5 p.m.)

Delhi, December 29.

News from Kabul states that after a heavy bombardment on Boxing Day, buildings, including the power-house, were wrecked by shell fire. The remaining windows were broken by rifle fire. The water tank was riddled with bullets. The Afghan watchman in the Legation was killed and two gardeners were wounded. The opposing forces used the Legation walls as cover. The rebels captured two ammunition dumps at Paghman, Kabul, during the darkness as a result of the rebels diverting the Salung River on the channel of which tlie power-house is situated.

Tribesmen near the Indian frontier have quietened, and the KurramParachinar route has been reopened. Jalalabad is still surrounded by rebels. City food supplies are cut off. Many refuees from the Kabul Legations have left for home. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS REBELS BOMBED A r > JALALABAD

(Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 30, 11.5 p.m.) Delhi, December 30.

The Afghan trade agent at Peshawar reports that peace has been definitely concluded with the Khugiani tribesmen and Ali Ahmedjan. The exGovernor of Kabul is negotiating a settlement with the Shinwaris and Mohmands.

There were further evacuations from the Kabul Legations yesterday. Air Force ’planes moved a total of CO women and children and members of the Legations, who are now in Peshawar. The former relate thrilling stories of their experiences. They said that during the fighting round the Legations everybody was confined to a central room, which was barricaded with furniture. There were many narrow escapes. Afghan aircraft bombed the rebels at Jalalabad, killing 600. It is feared that if the city surrenders there will be a massacre by tribesmen.