THE DIRTIEST TOWN IN THE WORLD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 146, 15 March 1919, Page 13

THE DIRTIEST TOWN IN THE WORLD

¥ WHAT GENERAL MARSHALL THOUGHT ol f MOSUL On his entry into Mosul, General Marshall, addressing the oilicials uf tho (own, suid: — "1 am here to-day to greet you as citizens of Mosul uiuior the protection of the British Government. Now .that the war is .over I wish you to realise that the war'was not of our seeking. We had no desire to fight with anyone, least of all with Turkey, with whom we had always, been iriuuds and with whom we •desire to resume friendly relations as soon as.possible, Alter four and li half years of war. wo are at peace, and 1 trust this peaco will be lasting." After inferring to. the armistice, General Marshall said:— . "l'havu. every intention of working at the'.tojvn and its neighbourhood, until it. is in a'passably .cltan state. At present the dirt and lilth are worse than I have seen -any whore' in tho world. It will be necessary to issue orders that may. no: doubt not be in accordance with the, slack, slovenly habits you have acquired, 'but'it. is .my, intention firmly to cnforco them,...and through it all you must remember tho -health of the people benefits by acquiring cleanly habits. "As regard prices, owing to the state of affairs'prevailing lit present prices of loqd and labour are .fanciful, it is niy intention to rectify this as soon as possible and fix prices on a basis fair to everyone. You must clearly understand, however, that prices, once fixed, will be adhered to, and if labour is not forthcoming, at the rate fixed I shall be obliged to.enforco it. Unlawful profiteering from the Qoverniuent or your fellow-citi-ueiis will be severely punished. "In the Vilayet of Mosul there has bten lately a tendency to rob everyone. This, owing to tho stale of unrest, was not uunatural, but the British Government has now assumed charge of Mosul and the vilayet, and it. is my intention to put down such lawlessness ruthlessly. Not only shall I deal severely with - disturbirs of law and order, but I shall hold those v.ho shelter them or give them passage through or protection in their areas as abettors and punish them as they deserve. The British Government, as you know, makes no distinction between sects and classes, but treats all alike, and I trust you will all work with me and help mo to tho best of your ability to restoic and maintain peace and order in Mosul town and vilayet. This you can do by whole-hearted support of Lieutenant-Colonel Leachman, my representative for civil administration." The Nakib of Mosul replied: "In the first ploce, we thank God who has given us liberjy to speak our languago after being dumb, lias changed our fenr to security. On the occasion of your entry and that of the soldiers of Great Britain into Mosul we present to Your Excellency our respectful congratulations on your arrival. *\Ye feel you are already awaro that our hearts rejoice. We believe there is not one who does not participate in this joy, and any exception is a traitor or miserable person." Emmanuel, Patriarch Chardean Catholic, said: "History and everyday experience assure us that whenever the standard of Great Britain is flown it is a sign of justice, civilisation, nnd well-being. Since this standard, which Hies over more than i<!0,000,000 people, extend to-day its wings over our country, it is natural thateach of us hopes for justice, new civilisation, and well-being, to. Uie end that the rich may live happily and the poor in security and in psace which the merciful God has given. And as we are certain of obtaining this in tlio near future, wo have only to present our cordial thanks to the representative of Great Britain and pray the good God to crown his efforts with success nnd pros- . perity, for which we ask the intercession of the prohpets and saints,"