PERSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1915, Page 5

PERSIA.

THE RACE FOR BAGDAD. r TURKISH DIVISION WIPED OUT. Received Nov. 30, 8.5 p.m. London, Nov. 29. The Press Bureau states that four ,3ivJsi<ms of Turks participated, ia the battle at Etesiphon. Prisoners state that one division was practically wiped out, and British observations confirm this. The Turks have since been reinforced. General Townshend successfully completed the removal of wounded and prisoners, and has withdrawn his forces lower down the river. A HOLY WAR. ARABS REFUSE TO LISTEN. Received Nov, 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Nov. 29. The Echo de Paris states that the Young Turks and Germans have made great efforts to induce the Arabs to declare a holy war against-the British, who are nearing Bagdad: High officials tried to bribe the chiefs with precious stones and money, but the chiefs and sheikhs were unresponsive. They consider that the Young Turks and Germans are not qualified to preach an Islamic Holy War.

THE POSITION PRECARIOUS. SWEDES HELPING THE ENEMY. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Nov. 30, 5.5 pan. London, Nov. 29. The Novo* Vremya points out that despite official intimations the Persian Government is not suppressing German I'Urigaes, that the German Minister at Teheran has not been expelled or imprisoned, and that the gendarmerie have goae over to the enemy. German offif*rg are in command, and are now fortifying the passes in order to defend the approaches from the Turkish frontier. Nearly all the Persian forces are concentrated at Rum Hamabar, where Swedish and Turco-Gennan officers are straining every effort to rupture relations and plunge Persia into w*r with theAElet.