THE WAZIRISTAN TROUBLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11959, 10 December 1919, Page 5

THE WAZIRISTAN TROUBLE.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

Renter.

Delhi, Dec 7

The Foreign Department has issued a statement explaining the events leading to the . Waziristan trouble. The Department points out that while interfering as little as possible wi th tribal independence, it has been necessary to maintain posts garrisoned by local militia within certain protected areas, notably Upper Tochi and Wana. In view of this partial occupation, and their undertaking not to raid other friendly tribes or British territory, the Wazirs and Mahsuds for many years received liberal subsidies and were treated with the utmost consideration. When concentration of Afghan forces rendered it necessary for the British to withdraw militia from the outposts at Tochia and Wana in May, Waziristan turned against us and conducted numerous raids. In July thej' informed the Afghan general that if the Afghans supplied rifles aud money they would drive the British across the river Indus. After peace with Afghanistan was signed, the raids continued. Consequently the present punitive operations were undertaken in order to obtain security for harassed border populations under British rule and to teach recalcitrant tribes a much needed lesson.