THE AFGHAN INCURSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 49

THE AFGHAN INCURSION.

PEOBABLE BRITISH MARCH ON KABUL. (By Cable.) LONDON, May 15 (delayed). The British have occupied Khargail, and captured two guns. The enemy are retreating towards Dakka. The latest news from India, dated May 14, states that British air raids have compelled the enemy to evacuate Dakka. Seven guns were 'captured. The situation in India is quiet. An expeditionary force for Afghanistan is concentrated at Peshawar. PESHAWAR, May 24. Evidence is accumulating that power in Afghanistan is passing gradually into the hands of Sales Mahomed, Commander-in-Chief, belonging to Nurani, and who is of noble family. He was the trusted confidant of the late Amir, and although he finally joined the Amanullah he is acquitted of complicity or knowledge of the murder of Habibullah. This fact is' important, because in spite of the Afghan predilection for violence and crime the Amir's murder, and the subsequent execution of an innocent man, were the cause of the indignation in Afghanistan, and even the border Pathans seem horror-struck. The adherence of Sales Mahomed alone kept Amanullah on the throne. It remains to be seen which of these planned the invasion of India. Both seem to have been misled regarding the internal situation of India. The Afghan postmaster at Peshawar, who is well educated but ill-balanced and emotional, received exaggerated reports of Indian sedition and the Punjab riots, and told "£he Amir that the %ime was opportune. It is important to'note that the Afghan army leaders all say he had been ordered to make peace; but they themselves were unwilling to return to their own country whatever happens. Profound peace is reported on the Dakka front. The Afghans in Kurram have not crossed into Poiwar Kotal. There are signs of activity in the Mohmand country, where the Mullahs and Jan Badchad are endeavouring to foment, trouble. SIMLA, May 25. Aeroplanes bombed munition factories in Kabul, registering seven hits. A big explosion followed. A second raid on Jelalabad proved effective. Several military, buildings were seen in flames. Aeroplanes also attacked and scattered tribal lashkars (bodies of irregular troops) in Gandao Valley. ALLAHABAD, May 27. Aeroplane reconnaisance disclosed the Afghans retreating between Jelallabad and Kabul. Both towns were bombed, direct hits being obtained on a powder factory, resulting in terrific explosions. An attack aTßashgul Pviver gave us four guns and a quantity of stores. The enemy lost 250 killed. Our casualties were slight. LONDON, May 28. Reuter's special Peshawar correspondent, writing on the 27th inst., states that everything on the Dakka front is quiet. General Nadir Khan, who has arrived at Matun, is now beginning to show signs of activity. A mixed force of Khost tribesmen and Afghan regulars have advanced down the Kaitu River, and crossed our border in the direction of Spinwam. Our small frontier post there had been safely withdrawn.' Similar measures were taken at exposed posts in Upper Toche, which is liable to attack should a tribal rising eventuate on the Khost or Birmil border.

Some Afghan regular troops, with Khostwal laskhars, are reported to be taking up a position on the right bank of the Kurrara River, opposite Thai. The general officer commanding in Beluchistan reports the capture o! Baldak fort.

SIMLA, May 28. It is now confirmed that Nasrullah is alive. He is lodged, but not imprisoned, in Kabul citadel. The Amir occasionally visits him and discusses matters of policy. Nasrullah is fed from the Amir's-'table, but his family is not allowed to visit; him. The money made by Nasrullah In the gun-running trade has been confiscated. The Amir lives In constant dread of assassination, and barely leaves the precincts of the palace. Only trusted persons

are admitted to his quarters. No durbar has been held since the one at which he announced his intention to invade India.

LONDON, May 30. Official: Three Afghan regiments, with considerable war material, have arrived at Fort Bakdak, and two regiments have arrived at Weimarkotal and have occupied spurs within the British limits. Three regiments have arrived at Alkhel. British concentration continues at Khifher.

May 31. Official: The British repulsed Afghan attacks on Fort Thai. The Afghans occupied and looted a bazaar outside the fort. An aeroplane, in a reconnaissance, located 3000 of the enemy near Thai, and bombed their camps with good effect. We captured Afghan Fort of Baldak, opposite Chiman, in Baluchistan, taking ' prisoner and killing 320. The situation is -satisfactory north from Khyber.

ALLAHABAD, May 31. Spin Baldak Fort, which the British captured, was considered impregnable, but our high explosive shells destroyed the bomb-proof shelters, and frontal assault by Indian cavalry and infantry carried the fort.

Events point to a probable march on Kabul, where the Amir is enmeshed in court intrigues.