TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1920. MESOPOTAMIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10610, 8 June 1920, Page 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1920. MESOPOTAMIA

The most satisfactory and reassuring statement that has been made from (Mesopotamia since the Armistice is published this morning. There have been uncertainties of many kinds during the interval, the worst of those being due to the demand of the Indian Moslem deputation for the restoration at all points of the Ottoman Empire. The idea after the great British victories was horrifying. The victories had ended the niitsgovcrnment of ages. That misgovernmont had by its tyrannies, oppressions, and • absolute disregard of the interests of the people of the country, had reduced one of the most beautiful and prolific regions of the world practically to a desert. Compared with the splendours of the past, when Mesopotamia was the battle-ground of great empires by reason of its wealth and attractiveness, the region in the hands of tho Unspeakable Turk was profitless, disorderly, and unproductive, a disgrace to human nature and a reproach to Turkish government. The British victories had rescued the region from the stifling oppression of years. Tho whole world rejoiced, but in the midst of the rejoicings came tho blight of uncertainty, the demand of the Indian Moslems, and the hint, of the Constantinople decision that this demand might be conceded. That hint was sustained and emphasised by some remarkable writings ’in leading magazines, emphasising tho impossibility of government of Mesopotamia under tho British flag. Then followed a series of active operations. The Turkish Pasha, Mustapha Kcmal, established in neighbouring territory organised raids on tile northern frontiers of Mesopotamia, fomented unrest across the Persian border, and at tho same time acquired a position of power which proved a great disturber of the arrangements of the Allies for the settlement of the various countries which before the war constituted the Turkish Empire. Reports of the raids on the (Mesopotamian frontier grow from day to day; events showed increasing confusion on the Turkish side of that frontier; Armenians were massacred; Kurds and Arabs became unruly; and tho small States not up by the Peace Treaty in Caucasia, Transcaucasia, and the various regions .of Central Aula towards tho great Peninsula of Hiudostan, went to pieces. The Bolsheviks took a hand; it its possible that they have got possession of tho Persian, capital in spite of the British Protectorate; and the latest'announcement of Lenin’s Bolshevist interference in India has just been made. How, in the midst of this chaos of Bolshevism, Moslem unrest, and Indian sedition, is Mesopotamia faringP That is the disquieting question of the day. The announcement from Mesopotamia, to which wo have referred above, answers that question. It is tho -statement made by tho Civil Commissioner who represents British rule in tho country to a deputation of tho people of Baghdad, who are evidently greatly disquieted by tho various events which we have briefly sketched. The Commissioner lias cleared tho situation completely. Tho British hold of (Mesopotamia will ho maintained, at any cost, until the League of Nations is satisfied that the country is ablo to stand alone. The military authorities will put down disorder on the borders and elsewhere with a firm Kand. On tho other hand, the British will organise the civil life of the community under a National Council with an Arab President. It is tho one way to restore stability in tho country and secure the ’ development of its grpat resources on the principles of justice and freedom. That way the British Government has determined to take, come what may. The Imrliarons Turkish freebooter, who is precisely what he was in the dark ages, will bo kept at bay until the nation can deal with him, and govern itself .strongly and progresnivcjy. Britain has accepted the responsibility of conquest; Britain will discharge the duties of stewardship firmly by the light of an experience unrivalled in the world; when Mesopotamia is restored to the stability, strength, and prosperity of the old days, Britain will withdraw. The choice was between a happy future and destruction. It was made wisely, and deserves tho applause of mankind. »