AFGHANISTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1919, Page 5

AFGHANISTAN.

BLAMES BRITAIN FOR HOSTILITIES. UNBLUSHING MENDACITY. j Received May 19, 7.5 p.m. Simla, May 15. The Afghan commander-in-chief, has sent a letter to the political agent at Khyber asking for a cessation of hostilities, stating that British officers commenced the unlawful war without any declaration of war on either side, and, by this aggressive step, inflicted heavy losses on the civil population and also the army of Afghanistan by throwing bombs from aeroplanes. The letter proceeds: 'ln consequence of the receipt of a letter by His Majesty the King of the Independent Kingdom of Afghanistan, from the Viceroy of India, I am ordered to suspend the war thus unlawfully begun by your side, and until further orders you are accordingly informed that the war is suspended until a final decision has been Teaclied between the Afghan Majesty and the Viceroy." The impertinence of this letter is only exceeded by its unblushing mendacity, for the Amir's violation of British territory, whiJi precipitated hostilities, was entirely wantoii land unprovoked. The agent at Khyber was instructed to send a message to the Afghan commander j-that if the latter wants to sue for peace be should address the officer commanding operations. HELP IXJR THE BRITISH A PARTY OF THE ENEMY DBTVEN BACK. ' Received May 20, 12.25 a.m. Simla, May 17. The Mirs of Hunza and 'Nagar and the Governors of Yasin, Paniala, Ishkoman, and Ghirz Gilghit have placed all their services and resources at the disposal of the Viceroy for use against the-Afghans. A party of Afghans have established themselves a few mileß above Arrawai on the river, but were driven within Afghan limits, leaving several dead. Despite the Afghans' request for a cessation of hostilities, they are still making every effort to stir up the tribes by means of agents and propaganda.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.