EASTERN TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1920, Page 3

EASTERN TROUBLE

MESOPOTAMIA MANDATE

*CSIi,._LIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) DELHI, August 7. The first step towards settling national institutions in Mesopotamia in compliance with' Great Britain’s mandate' obligations were taken in Bagdad op the 6th., when 19 former deputies were summoned from various parts of thp country by the present British Administration. Their ffunotiojns will be to frame proposls for provisional electoral law under which members will be elected to tlie general assembly which will frame organised law for the country. This assembly will also provide the source to which the administration may turn for advice connected with the welfare of the future of tho country. A cqliimn returning frhni Ryvauyah under General Kbningham, reached Jarbiiryah. The Arabs made elaborate arrangements to prevent the column reaching Jarbuiyali. The attack was beaten off by Deccan infantry. Arabs left seventy dead. Gurkas Had hand to hand fighting in a palm grove of the village. A final concentration of two thousand tribes with banners flying was successfully' dispersed by gunfire. The total Arab casualties were very heavy and ours were about twenty.

ARAB PRISONERS. LONDON, August 7. The War Office lias reason to believe that Arabs are treating Britisli prisoners well.