OUTLOOK IN PERSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1920, Page 3

OUTLOOK IN PERSIA

THE ” THUNDERER’S ” FEARS

(United Service Telegrams)

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, June 10. The London ” Timejj,” commentiHg on the Bolshevist occupation of Resht, infer that the Reds, intend to make a definite move on Teheran. The small British force at Resht was withdrawn

fifty-two miles, and placed ,in a posiat Menjil Pass guarding the Teheran road. Other British troops are

scattered ineffectively in North Persia,

and probably will be endangered. The • whole position is obscure owing to lack of official information, but apparently

there is nothing to prevent Persia falling an easy prey to the Bolshevists. The Government is weak and honeycombed with intrigue. General Staroselesky’s Cossack division, quartered,in Teheran, is now anti-British, and deeply tainted with. Bolshevism. Kulchik Chan, a notorious freebooter and leader of the Persian revolutionaries, lias become head of the provisional Government formed at Relit, and will probably encourage the Red advance on Teheran. The British Government has still not defined its policy in Persia, tholigh its interests are immediately threatened. Simultaneously a dangerous position is developing in Asia Minor owing to the increasng co-operation between the Turks and Bolshevists.

NO OFFICIAL NEWS. .‘Received this day at 1.30 p.mj LONDON, June 9. The War Office states it has no information regarding the reported British retreat from Resht to Bagdad.