AN AFGHAN INCURSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 16

AN AFGHAN INCURSION.

EARLY COLLISION EXPECTED. (By Cable.) LONDON, May 8. It is officially stated that the. position in Afghanistan has changed with remarkable rapidity. Disaffection has spread among the troops, who demand vengeance for the late murdered Amir, Habibullah. Despite the ostentatious unanimity with which a recent Durbar executed Colonel AH Raza and condemned Nasrulla to lifelong imprisonment, it is now openly stated that innocent persons were punished, and that the real culprits escaped. Amanulla, fearing a rebellion, resolved upon the perilous measure of embarking on a waa* against India, spreading false stories among the soldiers of troubles in Punjab, and depicting rich bazaars at the mercy of Afghan invaders.

The Viceroy sent the strongest express message to Amanulla, conveying a stern warning, but without success. Afghan troops are now arriving at various points of the border. British troops are already moving to their allotted places of concentration. The attitude of the tribesmen at the moment is admirable. The Afridis remain staunch, and the Mohammedans are solid at Rooskeppel, and are prepared to fight on our side.

Much disunion is believed to exist at Kabul. Amanulla is reported to have visited Nasrulla and Inayatulla in prison and offered them liberty in return for their leading the army against India, but both refused. Nasrulla is now believed to have been poisoned in gaol. Aeroplanes will probably play an important part in the fighting. Afghan and British forces are rapidly nearing each other. It is anticipated that sufficient British troops are available to deal promptly with the trouble.

SIMLA, May 8. The Khan of Khalat has sent a message to the Governor-General of Baluchistan deploring the insensate conduct of Amanulla, and renewing the assurance of the unswerving loyalty of his tribesmen. Leaders of the Quetta community and tribesmen have done likewise. Martial law has been declared in Peshawar. The Afghan postmaster in Peshawar, grossly abusing his position, distributed inflammatory literature. He subsequently left his office and went to the centre of the city, where he surrounded himself with a gang of armed ruffians and openly defied the British authority. A secret cordon was drawn round the city, and the postmaster and his staff were surprised. They surrendered, and Peshawar was cleared of its dangerous elements. May 10. The Afghan force at Kotal has been reinforced. Enemy troops have advanced to Aehkehl, thus encroaching on territory

within the British limits. A small force of Afghan regulars has moved into Afghan Mohmand country, with the object of stiffening any tribesmen whom they may succeed in raising. A significant feature is that the Amir's exhortation* failed to enlist the sympathies of independent tribes, from whom he expected immediate support. Afridi mullahs informed the Political Agent at Khyber that our troops would be welcome at , Alimesjid. They were picketing Chora, Kandam, and other points south of Khyber.

None of the Lashkar tribesmen responded to the Amir's appeal, and his emissaries received no support in Wazirxstan. The 'Government has proof that disloyal agents in India have been in communication with the Amir.