THE AFGHAN TROUBLE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16505, 5 August 1919, Page 3

THE AFGHAN TROUBLE.

A WILY OMENTAL.

MAKES THE BEST OF A BAD CASE.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright,

SIMLA, August 1

Tho president of tho Afghan peace delegates, replying to Sir D. Grant, stressed tho fact that Afghanistan was firm in its friendship for Britain and had never violated‘it. Ho protested that the British Government had refused to allow tho tribes to ho placed under Afghan rule and, later during the European war, the Afghans’ anxiety regarding the safety of the holy places of Islam had made them feel hopeless. The introduction of martial law and other legislative measures caused disturbances, excited tho Afghans, and led to the posting of troops on tho frontiers, resulting in misunderstandings on both sides. The reason of the bloodshed amongst the tribes was that each party considered its religion was true and attempted to destroy the others. Deferring to the recent trouble in the Islamic world the president said that, with, international relations expanding on all sides, how could Afghanistan remain content to ho confined within its limited freedom. The hearts of all the Islamic peoples had gone out to Turkey and. the Sultan’s jehad affected" the hearts of all Afghans. If the European war had ended before tho assassination of the Ameer a temporary' disturbance like the present Afghan war would 'not have occupied the feelings of the Afghans. The Afghans had long been kept under, but when the- voices of India wore raised tho Afghans, who always sympathised ■with tho Indians could not suppress their feelings. The Ameer had openly agiecd with his people, but secretly by strategy lie tried to keep them quiet. He, meant to introduce reforms, but the mistakes of tho officers on both sides brought about an unexpected state of affairs. Ho assured tho British Government that tho Afghans were anxious for a renewal of friendship and its permanent endurance. —Ans.-X.Z. Cable Assn.