AFGHANISTAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16821, 28 May 1919, Page 7

AFGHANISTAN.

BRITISH AIR RAIDS. ENEMY EVACUATE DAKKA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. •■ ■ ■ LONDON, Mav 15. The British occupied Khargali and captured two guns, the enemy retreating towards Dakka. Tli© latest news from India, dated May 14, states that British air raids compelled the enemy to evacuate Dakka. Seven guns were captured. The situation in India is quiet. The expeditionary force for Afghanistan is concentrated at Peshawar. ,

BOMBING PLANES BUSY. , SIMLA. May 25. Aeroplanes bombed munition, factories in Kabul registering seven hits. A r oig explosion followed. A second raid on Jelallabad proved effective. _ Several military buildings were seen in flames. ° Aeroplanes also attacked and scattered tribal lashkars (bodies of irregular troops) in Gandao Valley. . INTERNAL CONDITIONS. QUESTION 'OF LEADERSHIP. Received 10 45 p.m., Mav 27th . _ PESHAWAR, May 24. is accumulating that power in Afghanistan is passing, gradually into the hands of Sales Mahomed, Com-mander-in-Chief belonging to a Nuram noble family. He was a trusted confident of the late Ameer, and although he finally joined _ Amanullah he is acquitted of complicity or knowledge of the_ murder of Nabibullah. This fact is important, because in spite of Afghan predilections for violence the crime of the Ameer's murder and the subsequent execution of an innocent mail were the causa of indignation in Afghanistan, and even border Pathans. seemed horror struck at the adherence of Sales Mahomed, who 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 tlie internal situation in India. The Afghan postmaster at Peshawar, who is well educated but ill balanced and emotional, received exaggerated reports of Indian seditions and the Punjab riots and told the Ameer that the time was opportune. It is important to note* that the Afghan army leaders all say they have 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 Afshans in TCurrnm have not crossed Poinwar Kota!. There are signs of activity in the Mohm a ml country, where the Mullahs and Jan Badchad are endeavouring to foment trouble.