RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19939, 7 May 1928, Page 9

RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN

OVERTURES FOR ALLIANCE.

AMANULLA REJECTS SCHEME. EULOGISES WESTERN CULTURE. DISCOMFITURE OF THE SOVIET. Aiistralian Press Association—United Service (Received May 6, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. The Riga correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency reports that the Soviet officials are experiencing considerable difficulty in their military and political discussions with King Amanulla of Afghanistan. The Commissar of Foreign Affairs. Tchitcherin, accompanied by the Commissar of "VVar, Voroshiloff, and other members of the Executive, outlined a draft of a proposed military alliance between Russia and Afghanistan, but King Amanulla firmly rejected it. At a banquet to the Afghan King Kalinin said the Russians and the Afghans were both Asiatics. In reply, King Amanulla referred at length to his visit to Westeiu Europe, and eulogised western culture, which he said should inspire reforms in Afghanistan The King's unmistakable refusal to participate in the anti-British movement has caused the Sovjet for the present to abandon the ceremony of the presentation to the Red Army of 45 aeroplanes built as a result of the anti-British campaign and '"Our Answer to Chamberlain" Fund, which was intended to develop that sentiment. King Amanulla yesterday placed a wreath on Lenin's tomb.