PERSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1915, Page 5

PERSIA.

IMPORTANT POSITION TAKEN. THE MARCH TO BAGDAD. GENDARMERIE REVOLTING. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. Official: General Townancnd's Division, on November 22, captured Otesiphon, IS miles from Bagdad. There were two thousand British casualties. The Foreign Office states that on November 10 Persian gendarmerie seized the Consul and the superintendent of Indo-European telegraphs, and " the European staff of the Imperial Bank at Shiraz. All were deported to Ahram, where they are apparently in charge of Herr Wassmuss. The bank building was seized and all private property confiscated. The Government has been informed that the gendarmerie in northern Persia revolted, under Swedish officers, and are holding Knm in the German interests. They have cut the telegraph lines and robbed Britishers and Russians. Gendarmerie, also under Swedish officers, attacked Hamadan,

WANT OF WATER. BRITISH COMPELLED TO RETIRE Received Nov. 2T>, 8.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. The Colonial Office reports that after a night march from Zeur, General Townshend's division attacked the Turkish division at Otesiphon. After severe fighting throughout the day the position was captured, together with 800 prisoners and largo quantities of arms and equipment.

General Townshend's force and general headquarters bivouacked on the captured position, and the Turks' heavy counterattacks on the night of the 23rd were successfully repulsed, but want of water on the 2tthi necessitated our retirement to the river three or four mile? below Otesiphon.