THE AFGHAN INVASION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17631, 22 May 1919, Page 5

THE AFGHAN INVASION

SITUATION GENERALLY SATIS FACTORY.

MERELY SNIPING AT PICKETS.

ATTITUDE OF TRIBES RELIABLE

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PESHAWAR, May 20. (Received May 22, at 1.20 a.im.) Khyber, having ceased to be for the present the danger point, a situation has developed at Kurram: With the exception of a few outlaws, the Turis and Waziris are firm in their resolve to permit no Afghans in their territory. Plans had already been made to secure Kurram against the Afghan threat, but nothing happened sniping pickets. At Parachinar the stormy petrel mullah, Mir Sahib Jan Badsfaah, whom the troops call Jimmy' Bradshaw, appealed to the Bajanr, but was, forced to leave in 1915. He induced a combined force of Mohmands and Swatis to try to overthrow the Government, with disastrous results. He recently visited the Mohmands, but the latter were busy dividing the loot obtained at Dakka, and, dismissed him. Frontier experts agree that, except for a few outlaws, the tribesmen will not welcome the passage of ill-disciplined Afghan troops through their territory. Only after many /years' experience have they acquiesced in the presence of British troops. The tribal country does not trust the Afghans, as the latter have no supplies, and are forced to exist on the country they are passing through. The Amir's stay in Kabul is exciting comment, the army- demanding his presence at Jelallabad.

Official: No further operation is reported from Dakka. Yar Mohammed's band, at Chora, is believed to have been dispersed, and sniping has practically ceased in Khaibar. The situation in Knrram is obscure. The Afghans are picketing the Paiwar bridge, adopting an aggressive attitude, and firing on our pickets at night. The conditions are unsettled in Khost, where General Nadir Khan is commanding. He to arrive at Hatun on the 20th with detachments of Regulars and tribal Lascars. Reports from other parts are satisfactory, and the attitude of the tribes is good Reuter.