THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17178, 4 June 1919, Page 7

THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN.

WAZIRISTAN .ENTERED.

FAINT-HEARTED ATTACKS.

SMALL ARTILLERY POWER.

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright,

(Received 8.30 p.m.) Renter. " SIMLA. June 5 General Nadir Khan has entercc Waziristan tribal territory along three routes, with Afghan regular; and 36 guns. Their attacks on out posts were faint-hearted, and failed to make any impression, the troops contenting themselves with long range sniping. Evidently they were uncertain on which side the sym pathies of the Waziris lay. The i nine-pounder guns used by the Afghans in the recent skirmishes had very little destructive effect. There is no chance of the enomj reaching Bannu or Kohat. Our con centrations are proceeding rapidly. The Afghan troops have fled from Birkot. Our advance continues. Measures have been taken to punish the villagers at Utmanzai, 20 miles from Peshawar, where the ringleaders of a dangerous intrigue have been arrested. ' This had a quieting effect in Peshawar. PREACHING A HOLY WAR. ATTEMPT TO RAISE TRIBES, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Red. 8 p.m.) LONDON'. May M-Delaycd. Large forces of Afghans are facing the British expedition. The Afghan regulars, being well-armed and wellequipped in every way are formidable adversaries. The British concentration east of Khyber Pass is proceeding steadily. The Amir's attempts to raise the border tribes have generally failed, though some tribes arc wavering. Owing to desertions the British have disbanded the Khyber Rifles. The British representative at Khandahar has reached Quetta. He says a holy war is being vigorously pteached. Mr. E. S. Montagu, Secretary of State for India, stated in the House of Commons that it was now clear that the new Amir of Afghanistan, in a moment of suicidal folly, authorised an unprovoked attack on India. The motives were doubtful. We desired nothing except friendly relations with a neighbouring country, but intended to exact a stern and just punishment for the raids and invasion.