GERMANY IN CENTRAL ASIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13488, 19 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

GERMANY IN CENTRAL ASIA.

Bui for the fact that it is announced with all the authority of the British Secretary- of State for India, the story of the Teutonic mission to Afghanistan, would sound too wildly improbable to be true, even though it'was- told in thatmost solemn of legislative assemblies, the British Hoiu»e of Commons. As reported by the Westminster Gazette, it runs:—

"Mr Austen Chamberlain gave a very interesting account of the German attempt to get at the Ameer of Afghanistan. The plan adopted was to send him a mission, the leading line in which was an Indiau anarchist in Berlin—a young landowner from Oudh, who posed as a ruling chief, and as such was received in audience by the Kaiser. This person was sent to Afghanistan, accompanied by a party of German officers, some Turks, and another Indian anarchist (a Moslem). The principal German officer boro a letter from the German Chancellor to the Ameer, begging him to advise the pretended Rajahhow best India might be rescued from British tyranny; there were also letters from the Chancellor to a number of ruling chiefs. It is pleasant to be able to add that the whole plot was a miserable fiasco. The Ameer has remained loyal to his engagement with ca, and has used his influence- to prevent disturbances on the frontier."