AFGHAN DISORDERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 January 1929, Page 9

AFGHAN DISORDERS.

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE. FOREIGN SECRETARY’S STATEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 30. In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary was asked for a statement regarding the attitude the Government proposed to adopt towards the present disturbances in Afghanistan. Sir Austen Chamberlain replied: | ‘The Government has no intention of intervening in the internal affairs- of Afghanistan bv supporting or assisting any of the parties at present contending for power. They earnestly desire the establishment of a strong central Government, and will he prepared when that government i-s established, to show friendship for the Afghan people by giving suoh assistance as they can in the reconstruction and development of the country. Amanullah has formally announced his abdication to the British Government, and in consequence, until it is clear that, despite that abdication he is regarded as king by the people of Afghanistan generally, the British Government will be unable to regard his government as rightful.” Sir Austen C'liambei'jain said that the various parties had afil respected the sanctity of the British Legation at Kabul, although considerable material damage had been done to the buildings last December, when the Legation lay in. the line of fire between, the force® of Amanuldah and Habibulf-a Khan. Similarly the position of the British Consul at Jallalabad appeared to have been .respected by all parties, al I ;though there lias been a report, not confirmed, that the consulate suffered damage in I the course! of disturbances. ■No disturbances had taken place in the urea of the British consulate at- Khandaihar.

Replying regarding the rescue of German, nationals from Kabul by British aircraft- Sir Austen Chamberlain said that he had received from the German Ambassador an expression of warm thanks and the German Government, in communication to the British Ambassador in Berlin, had expressed sincere thanks for the assistance rendered by them and by the Indian Government in rescuing German women and children in most difficult circumstances. The German Government had requested that thanks also he conveyed to. the Government of India-.