KABUL MENACED

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1928, Page 5

KABUL MENACED

AFGHAN REVOLT RENEWED

VITAL POINTS CAPTURED.

KHYBER PASS CLOSED,

(Times Cable.) (Received 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 18

Reports from Delhi state that the Afghan rebellion has again, broken out.

Martial law and the curfew order have been proclaimed in Kabul. There have been many arrests, Afghan troops were heavily engaged with Shinwari and Khugiani tribesmen, who captured two important points overlooking Kabul and an outpost at Kaja, inflicting numerous casualties.

Afghan troops at Jalalabad have been attacked, and detachments 'of regulars at Nimla are surrounded by tribesmen.

At present the Foreign Legations at Kabul are safe. The. “Times' ’ understands that the Indian Government has made all necessary arrangements for withdrawal of the British from Kabul, all 10 of whom are guests 1 or members of the Legation staff. It is believed that they include four ladies and three children, including Lady Humphrys, wife of Sir Francis Humphrys, British Minister, and the wife and daughter of Sir Denis Bray, Indian Foreign Secretary, who arc unable ,to depart, owing to the Shinwari rebellion closing Khyber Pass.

The “Times” attributes the rebellion to King Amanullah’s zeal for reforms, including the Queen discarding the veil, the introduction of European clothes. and customs, and prohibition of polygamy, after the King's ifrisit to Europe in 1028, causing offence ,to religious leaders.'

King' Amanullah thus forced the pace, despite-the advice of both Afghan and British friends.

It is recalled that disaster overtook three .previous British missions to Afghanistan. Bir Alexander Burnea and 23 others were murdered at Kabul in November, 1841. Sir William MacNaughton was murdered six weeks later. Sir Louis -Castagnari and his staff of three .Europeans, 20 Indian cavalry and 50 infantry were massacred at the Residency in Kabul after a ’desperate defence in September, 1879.

These incidents respectively originated the first and -second Afghan -wars. . -

ANTI-EUROPEAN THREAT.

HAND OP MOSCOW*

PLAINLY APPARENT,

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, December 18.

The newspapers are giving prominence to the grave news from Afghanistan, especially a report that King Am amillah ’3 party was obliged to take refuge in a fort. The ‘ ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ ’ editorially observes: ‘‘Britain has learnt from bitter experience that the passions roused 'by Afghan feuds are not. confined to Afghan affairs. There is always the possibility of an anti-Euro-pean outburst.

The diplomatic correspondent of the “Morn/ing Post” says: “Apart from Soviet aviation instructors in Kbig Aniamillaih’s army, it is known that Moscow has watchers and agents in rebel camps.” Editorially the “Post” says; “What hand the Soviet is playing in this imbroglio is not yet plain, but the Indian Government no doubt marks Iho ominous similarity of events early in 1919, when, as now, agitators were active in India. The hand of the same conspirators can be traced in both, eases, and India and her protectors must therefore closely watch these Afghan developments.”

LEGATION PARTY SAFE,

ARMY DISSOCIATION.

BRIGAND CHIEF RESPONSIBLE

(Australian Press Association,) (Received .11,38 n.ni.) LONDON, December 18. The Afghan Legation here . states that all the persons in the British.. Legation at Kabul are safe, also that there is no revolt in the ami}’. Yesterday's incidents are described as of minor importance, and are attributed to- a brigand chief.

GRAVE CONCERN.

ROYALTY TAKE REFUGE

SOLDIERS JOIN REBELS, *

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 1.8 p.m.) DELHI, December 18. Reports from the frontier state that portion, of the Afghan Army has revolted ami is assisting the rebels, and the King and Queen have taken refuge in a fort. The latter statement is unconfirmed,. ' Wireless communications with Kabul have broken down. The gravest anxiety exists for the safety of the foreign Legations. No letters have been received from the British Legation for a month. It is rumoured that the whole Afghan Army has not boon paid for a considerable time, which, combined with anti-reform propaganda, has con-

tributed to many soldiers having deserted, Europeans in Kabul are reported to be experiencing grave discomforts, as firewood and food supplies are always scarce and expensive.