AFGHANISTAN CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20171, 4 February 1929, Page 9

AFGHANISTAN CRISIS.

FAMINE AT THE CAPITAL

APPALLING SCENES OCCUR.

MURDERS AND LOOTING.

[EXCESSES BY TRIBESMEN.

EVACUATION OP BRITISH.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian aud N.Z. Press Association. (Received February 3, G. 25 p.m.) DELHI, Feb. 2.

Terrible stories of tho conditions in "Kabul, tho capital of Afghanistan, are related by members of the legations. There is A famino in the city where a small piece of bread costs three shillings. Kabul is said to be thronged with wild and hungry tribesmen who have been prevented from leaving by a heavy fall of snow. The bazaars are empty, houses are barricaded, the streets "are choked with refuse and are deserted until nighttime.

Then are appalling scenes of murder and looting. Gangs of tribesmen roam through tho city, breaking into houses, stealing food, clothing and furniture and .bartering tho latter for food. Occupants of tho houses who resist are murdered.

The peoplo aro becoming dissatisfied with the rule of the rebel chief, Bachai Sakea, who fears assassination.

Ali Ahmed Jan is seeking to borrow '£15,000 from traders at Peshawur to finance his proposed attack on Kabul early in the spring. All the reforms instituted by Amanulla have disappeared. The girls' schools in Kabul are closed, women have been ordered to wear veils and the puggaree lias replaced European headgear.

Twenty-five British and Indian residents •were taken from Kabul to Peshawur in ;i Royal Air Force plane yesterday. On the previous day one British and eight Indian members of the legation staff leached Peshawur by air.

It is announced that tho machine which was missing landed on a bank of the Kabul River 15 miles from tho capital. The two pilois are safe. Owing to tho capital being snowbound it will be impossible for the opposing forces to approach for the next two months.

According to a returned member of the British legation Bachai Sakea secured lAmanulla's dismissal by trickery. Bachai persuaded Amanulla to give liim 80,000 rupees and troops. He then promised to silence the Shinwaris who opposed Amanulla's reforms. However, Bachai immediately captured and looted the city. AMANULLA'S MOVE. SUPREME POWER RESUMED. NEW NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Australian Press Association—United Service, (Received February 3. C.25 p.m.) MOSCOW, Feb. 2.

The Afghan Ambassador to Moscow has officially notified the Soviet that Amanulla has resumed supreme power in Afghanistan. He has proclaimed himself head of a national Government with temporary headquarters at Kandahar.