AFGHAN REVOLT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 December 1928, Page 5

AFGHAN REVOLT.

FIGHTING AROUND KABUL. REBELS FORCED^FROM STRONG POSITION. 'United Pres*, Association—By Electric Talegrapb Copyright.) —United Service). LONDON, Dec. 24. King Amahullak’s mother escaped from Kabul by aeroplane, flying to Kandahar to> rally the southern; tribes, 'with whom she is popular, says the Moscow correspondent of the ‘ ‘Daily News.”

King Amanullah’s wireless is working again and reports that the posiiton in Kabul has improved, the rebels being forced to evacuate Boigabala, a fortified hill dominating the city which they had held for a t week, despite aeroplanes bombing them'and an artillery bombardment. The rebels’ main forces had also been driven, from the suburbs.

Government troops were still holding out in Jalalabad, while troops' are moving to their relief. British aeroplanes l are again flying over Kabul and dropping warnings that British residents must be respected. It is stated in Moscow that King Amanullah has at Kabul 11,000 regulars and ten batteries with over 4000 troops’, and six batteries at Jalalabad:

BRITISH LEGATION CLEARED OF REBELS. AN IMPORTANT TRIBE' SUBMITS. Received 10.55 a.m. to-day. CALCUTTA, Dec. .26. Additional airplanes have arrived at Peshwar, bringing women and children from the Italian legation at Kabul. The aviators reported that the area around the British legation, which is outside the capital, has been cleared of rebel troops and contact with Kabul has been established. The Afghan legation has announced that it has received a telegram from the Government of Afghanistan saying that, complete calm prevailed at Kabul. According to the legation the. Chouryiant tribe, one of the most important groups on whom the rebels relied, has submitted to the authority of'the Government. SOUTHERN SITUATION IMPROVES. FIGHT AROUND BRITISH LEGATION. DELHI, Dec. 25. The situation, in the south, has improved, but frontier tribesmen are watching Kabul events. It is unknown how they will turn. It is admitted there; have been desertions from the anny, but the majority are; now rallying to the throne. The British Legation for three days was a no, man’s land between the rebels and the State forces. The military attache’s house was destroyed by shellfire, but the rebels 1 halve now . been pushed back. The revolution is believed to, be due to King Amanullah’s defiance of the Mullahs and Ms impetuous introduction of reforms' in connection with the education of women, the poorly paid army, expensive, buildings in the new capital and high oflicials receiving small salaries.