THE AFGHAN TROUBLE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16447, 28 May 1919, Page 3

THE AFGHAN TROUBLE.

THE MILITARY COMMANDER.

MORE POWERFUL THAN AMIR

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.

PESHAWAR, May 24. Evidence is accumulating that power in Afghanistan is passing gradually into the hands of Sales Mahomed, com--chief, belonging to a Ivurani noble family. He was a trusted confidant of the late Anur, and, although lie finally joined Amanullah, he is acquitted, of complicity or knowledge of the murder of Habdirilali. This fact is important because, in spite of tho Afghans predilection for violence and crime, the Amir’s murder and the subsequent execution of an innocent man, "were the cause of indignation in Afghanistan, and oven the Border Fabliaus seem to have been horror-stricken. 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 in India. The Afghan postmaster at Peshawar, who is well educated, but ill-balanced and emotional, received exaggerated reports of Indian sedition and the Junjab riots, and told the Amir that the time was opportune. It is important to note that the Afghan army leadei-s all say they have been ordered to make peace, but they themselves arc unwilling to return, to their own country whatever happens. Profound peace is reported on the Dakka front. The Afghans in Kurram have not crossed the Pei war Kotal. There are signs of activity in the Mohmund country, where mullahs and Jan Badehad are endeavouring to foment trouble—Reuter

SIMLA, May 25,

Aeroplanes bombed munition factories in Kabul, registering seven bits. A big explosion followed. A second raid on Telallabad proved effective. Several military buildings were seen in flames. Aeroplanes also attacked and scattered the tribal las*cars (bodies of irregulr troopsl in the Gandao Valley.—Reuter