EASTERN TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1920, Page 3

EASTERN TROUBLE

' AUSTIIuLI AN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

AN ARAB SIEGE. SIMLA, August 11. Details available from Bagdad of the siege of Rmnala, which was recently relieved by a strong column. The garrison at Rumala consisted of seven platoons of the 114th Mahrattas and 99th infantry and two hundred British civilians working the railway. Tlieso held out for three weeks. Rations and ammunition were dropped into the Serai which -they fortified. The garrison further provided themselves by occasional sorties into bazaars, made possible lay aeroplanes on the outskirts of the town distracting the attention of tho investing army while the garrison rushed the bazaars. A regiment of Sikhs made a bold attempt to relieve the garrison, but tlie Arabs succeeded in cutting off the water from the canal, upon which the regiment depended and the Sikhs had to retire suffering heavy casualties. Tlie -Arabs (innllv tied on the approach of a strong column from Bagdad.

PERSIAN OPERATIONS. LONDON, August 10

Teheran advises lighting has taken place between Kutclielc, Khan and bis late Bolshevik allies. The latter looted and largely burnt down the rebels’ stronghold at Resht. They have proclaimed a general mobilisation aiul are unsuccessfully trying to conscript Persians between 18 and 45. The Shall presented Varosslysky, the Russian in cpmmand of the Cossack division, with a diamond belted sword in recognition of his military services.

THE ARAB VIEW. PARIS, August 11. King Hedjaz refused to sign the Turkish Treaty. The “Matin says the King insists on Syria being given to Feisul, indicating his ambition to create a vast Arab -Kingdom in which his sons in Syria and Mesopotamia, be his lieutenants.