A LAST STAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 January 1929, Page 9

A LAST STAND

LATE EDITION

AMANULLAH PREPARED. RECENT CRITICAL DAYS. REFORMS WITHDRAWN TOO LATE. . uiuca —By Klectnu Teiegrapa rigai. , lAustralia!' ±'ret*> Association. ) Received 11.50 a.m. to-day. DELHI, Jan. 15. The news of King Amanuilah’s abdication in favour oi his brother caused a sensation in India, but information from Kabul shows that the military and political situation has been critical for some days. Big forces of rebels are attacking the King’s troops around the capital, and the Shinwaris and Khugtanis surrounded a detachment of Afghan troops at JagdaJak. Apparently the King’s withdrawal of reforms failed to placate the fanatical tribal leaders. J ust previous to his abdication, Amanullah retired to Kabul with large stores of ammunition, apparently prepared for a last stand.

BRITISH PRESTIGE IMPROVED.

GERMAN PRESS ALLEGATIONS

Received 2.5 p.m. to-day

LONDON, Jan. 15. Ever since the Afghan revolt, the German press has persistently published inuendos that British influence was behind the revolt. Now the “Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” states: “The abdication has improved British prestige. Even if they are, perhaps wrongly, considered to be the instigators of the rebellion, the British Government is nevertheless interested in removing a monarch, with Soviet sympathies. It is an important step in the Anglo-liussian struggle for influence in Central Asia.”

FRENCH PRESS SUGGESTION

Received 2.5 p.m. to-day. / PARIS, Ja. 15. The “Echo de Paris” says: King Amanullah proved hostile to the Delhi Government, and it would not be surprising if the rebels found a certain measure of benevolence on the northwest frontier.