The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-01-23
Notes from Eoreian Shares.

Northwest Frontier India, Jan. "a
Correspondence of the Associated
Press A demonstration of the pres
ent amicable relations between the
British government and Alghanistan
was afforded a spondent of the
Associated Press here in Khyber Pass.
Claims and counter claims regarding
the attitude of the Amir of Afghanis
tan toward the combatants in the
world war have been made continually
since the outbreak Of hostilities, bus
this much may be affirmed with GER
tanty:
Great caravans, composed Of thou
sands of clmels and donkeys, heavily
laden with fruits and goods, are pour
ing into India from Afghanistan
through this gateway between the two
countries. Manirestly, these peace
able pilgrimages could not be under
taken were conditions other than
quiet Moreover and perhaps still
more significant, hundreds of Ghil2ai,
the nomads of Alghanistan, are max
ing their annual journey into the pen
insula with the caravans for trade and
for the purpose Of securing places
as laborers in various sections. These
coolies will remain in India until
spring, unofficial hostages ror the con
tnued good RELATIONS between the
Amir and his powerful neighbor.
The formaities demanded by the
neutrality of Afghanistan are being
rigidly adhered to by the British From
the heights about this fort, which is al
the top of the pass and only four mile.
inside the international line, one car
see far out toward Kabul, but no one
not connected with the officially sanC
toned caravans does more than look
for to venture over the border woulC
give rise to the gravest consequences
The Amir is very jealous of his right.
and is always suspicious Of foreigner
within his domains.
No spot in India is more interesting
at present than this famous pass
Though it is at present forbidden
ground for sightseers, the correspon
dent was permitted by Sir Georg,
Roos-Keppcl, chief commissioner fo
the North West Frontier Province, t,
make the trip from Peshawar to Land
Kotal Fort in a motor with an armed
escort.
Landi Kotal is some thirty mile
from the city of Peshawar, and for tn
last twenty miles one passes throug
the so.called independence territory
that is, the country inhabited by tn
nominally Independent tribes of wal
like folk who live in the mountain
of this region These are the peOpl
who have probably given more troubl
than any others since the British oC
cupation Of India, for they are col
tinually at war among themselves an
frequently turn their attention to tn
British forces stationed along tn
border.
The road to Landi Kotal enters ind
pendent territory at Jamrud Fort, a
well garrisoned British stronghold ;
the foot of the Khyber Pass. Frol
here one would be in constant per
OF death from snipers were it not fC
the fact that through an agreemeI
with the tribesme nthe road and tn
e land for fifty years on either side 4,
IL are neutral ground within whiC
no shooting is supposed to take plac
To a large extent the neutral sectiC
is considered sacred by the mou
taineers, but there are many bands
, bandits who decline to regard il ;
, such and attempt raids on caravan
d are not infrequent. In order to mai
tain the neutrality Of this strip and
handle marauders, the British hay
built block houses and small! for
> along the way, and at numerous 9th,
places sentries are stationed in con
manding positions among the rocks.
/, The road is one Of the finest in
I dia, is maintained by the trihcsmC
! along the route who are paid we'll +,
keeping it in condition. The steac
and much needed income which Il
momtalneers derive from this rol
work is an added incentive to preser,
the neutrality which the British i
sist upon. Even the tribal bloc
feuds, which have existed from tim'
immemorial cease when either par
is within the neutral territory.
This neutral strip gives rise to son
a very peculiar situations as regards Il
warning tribes. At one point for Q