AFGHAN DEVELOPMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 January 1929, Page 7

AFGHAN DEVELOPMENTS

MOHMANDS FIRE TOWN SNOW STOPS FIGHTING (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Recd. January 26, 11.30 a.m.) DELHI, January 25. Dakka, a small town at the end of the Kyber Pass, forty-five miles from Peshawar, was totally destroyed by fire by Mohmands. No significance is attached to the incident, though the place had been selected for the tribal gathering mentioned yesterday, heavy snow preventing tribesmen reaching Dakka.

Kabul is snowbound and the aerodrome is thickly covered, rendering rescue of the members of the Legation staff difficult, should a serious situation develop. Amanullah is formulating plans to advance on Kabul early in the spring. In Kabul, all business is at a standstill, the Shinwaris have openly announced they will not accept him as King. The five Afghan Princes who were arrested and placed in gaol at Allahabad, are on hunger strike. RESCUES FROM KABUL BRITISH AIRMEN’S GOOD WORK. LONDON, January 24. In the House of Commons, Earl Winterton stated that at present he had very little information beyond what had already appeared in the Press regarding the evacuation of the women and children of the Corps Diplomatique from Kabul by British aeroplanes. The total number of British and foreign nationals evacuated was 149, of whom 50 were British, 37 Turkish, 23 German, 10 French, 9 Persian, and the remainder of miscellaneous nationalities. The Government of India had been asked to report on the whole subject, and the question of publishing particulars regarding the supplies carried, the machines used, and the names of the air officers concerned would be considered. The House would have noted with satisfaction the remarkable efficiency wherewith the evacuation was carried out. and the absence of casualties or accidents.

Earl Winterton, referring to the bombing disaster in India, confirmed the Press report. Commander Kenworthy (Labour) asked: “Was this aeroplane operating at the mouth of the Khyber Pass on active service,’ or was it at practice?”

Earl Winterton said he understood that the aeroplane was practising. It would be unfair to make any further statement until a full report was received.

AIRMEN ARRESTED.

DELHI, January 25

Two airmen have been arrest oil in connection with the Peshwar bomning tragedy. The death roll from this disaster is now fifteen. Two others are not expected to live.