BRITISH CONCERN

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1933, Page 5

BRITISH CONCERN

IRAQ SITUATION

SLAUGHTER OF 700 SYRIANS.

(British Offie'il Wireless.) ■T.rvijh

■ RUGBY, August-17. The Prime Minister, Rtj Hbn. R. MacDonald,. ,wlio this even'.ng • retux tied to Scotland has been investigating the massacre of Assyrian's by' 1 ' the 1 Arab irregular forces', rtf This » after",'v, noon Mr MacDonald • • received Sir Francis Humphreys, the British ambassador to Iraq with whom lie discussed the Assyrian situation in ■ Northern Iraq. Information in'London indicated that a band of rebellious Assyrians, who had fled into Syria, recrossed the /Tigris river .into Iraq and attacked Iraq anny detachments. This fighting was unfortunately' followed by the excesses against the Assyrian villages byS,tHe f.Khurdish i irregulars and the Bedouin" 'tribesmen. Seven hundred Assyrians are- reported to have been killed. The neighbourhouring villages are - crowded with panic-stricken women .1, and children whose condition' is ; a pitable one. ■ w The, British Minister, Sir",BY Humphries, is returning "at once' to Baghdad by air. ; He is to usp friendly /offices in the crisis, -and, pending liis return to Iraq, King Feisel, of Iraq, » reported to have postponed his intended visit to Switzerland, - Iraq was admitted to membership, of the' League of Nations • ■ last October, when the British mandate terminated, and the British responsibilities in Iray : ceased.' ‘ '■ " • '>** . * There is, however,! a’ treaty of alliance between Britain, and olraq.

“TIMES” EXPRESSES OPINION.

STRONG CRITICISM EXPECTED.

LONDON, August 18.

“The Times,” in a leading article states: “It .'is, anticipated;....-that there will, be strong reference, made to the deplorable events, in Iraq at the League of Nations meeting in ..Geneva, in September, when the British official optimism is-'likely to.be as much criticised as will, be tlie Arab negligence.” “The , Times”, .declares:, “The jraq Government’s best defence, is to deal severely with the officers,. and officials whose violence, has. injured its reputation and to immediately make restitution to the innocent communities which have suffered' such violence add spoil l ation.” > ' .. ~ ~

“The Iraq Government has Tot..erred in iletaining,;thß',,Tatyiarch i -Marshihum,” says “The Times,” because lie encouraged hia wilder followers to undertake a hrtirbrailied march in" French Syria, which led to disasters,” “The /rimes” :addsi “The League: r - of Nations, which in 1925 mistakenly ' , refused to include for the . Assyrians a homeland in Iraq, can still repair that error, and can assist the Assyrians to find new homes in Syria and. elseIjjjpjiere.’’ ■ ~ v , ~t - ■