UNREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 283, 24 August 1920, Page 5

UNREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST

DRIVING BOLSHEVIKS FROM PERSIA SITUATION IN MESOPOTAMIA SERIOUS By TelegTapb-Preas Aiioolation-Oopyrlrh* Simla, August 21. Sereie fighting against the Bolsheviks and rebels in Persia' continues, with further success to the British. Wliile the British were making attacks on Kashin and Menjil, our forces made a detour by a mountain track further on the road to Menjil, and captured six machine-guns and eighty prisons. ■ Thence the Cwsacks proceeded to capture Menjil. The enemy is in full retreat to Resht. The British captured a Red Cross nurse working a machine-gun. ■ The situation in Mesopotamia is undoubtedly serious. But there is no need for excessive alarm. The attacks on our forces at Hillah and the Euphrates on Wednesday night was not pressed home. Our .detachments at Sainawe and Kufa, though isolated, arc in a satisfactory position and are in good spirits. Wo have withdrawn from Pah to Ramadi, but'the line is held by local levies under British officers, and the position there is satisfactory. Though the railway communication between Bagdad aud Faluja has 'been cut, the railway communication north of Bagdad is satisfactory. Tribesmen ore. massing at Baquaba, whore we hold Marshall's Bridge, where the railway orosses the Diak River. It • will be sorao time before communication with Persia can be restored. There is some unrest in the Kirkeak division, but elsewhere all is quiet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MISTAKEN PQLICyIn" MESOPOTAMIA LONDON "TIMES'S". SEVERE CRITICISM. ' London', August 21. "The Times," in a leader, says the result of the inherently wrong and foolish Mesopotamian policy is that Britain, is faced with the task of reconquering the country. It is now disclosed that widespread and prolonged operations are needed to deal with an upheaval extending from Mosul to 150 miles from Basra. The Enforcement of order may leave the natives permanently hostile to any form of British control. Mesopotamia is likely to become the grave of, the Coalition Government, unless its policy is radically changed. All the oil in Asia will not compensate for the lives already lost and the hundreds of millions sterling already spent.—"The Times."

BRITISH OCCUPY TREBIZOND. (Reo. Aragust 23, 8.10 p.m.) London, August 21. According to Moscow wireless reports the British have occupied Trebizond.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.