AFGHANISTAN AND INDIA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2669, 20 December 1928, Page 4

AFGHANISTAN AND INDIA.

The outbreak of tribesmen in Afghanistan has taken a more serious turn, and martial law been proclaimed throughout the country. There appears to be little doubt that the trouble has been fermented by Soviet intrigue, and the objective of the Russians is not hard to realise. Afghanistan is the key to India from Russia, and for some time the Soviet Government has been seeking the goodwill of King Amunallah. The King of Afghanistan is a very astute monarch, however, and realises that his country's interests are identical with those of Britain, and refused the overtures from Moscow. Afghanistan is the line of defence between Russia and India, and Britain has been engaged Jn various diplomatic negotiations with Russia since 1870, in safeguarding the boundaries of the smaller Power. The Russian Soviet, having failed in the attempt to impress King Amunallah with its power and goodwill, is now stirring up revolution in his country, and making clumsy attempts to place the blame on Britain. It is reported that while Russia has aviators in the King's army, it also has spies and watchers amongst the rebel tribesmen. A serious view of the position is taken in official circles in London, for Afghanistan is a danger spot for India, and while it is not likely that the Soviet would be in a position to invade India through Afghanistan, the breaking up of the buffer State would enable Russian emissaries to permeate through India and create an anti-British feeling all over the country. Russia is a dangerous neighbour for any Power, and Soviet propaganda has been mainly directed against everything that is British.