EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1916, Page 5

EGYPT.

GERMAN FIBS. ~ (SOME AMAZING STATEMENTS. iIS < - $ CONTRADICTED BY MR. ROSS. (Special from the New Zealand War Correspondent.) ■* ' Wellington, Marcli -21. For some time past amazing statements regarding tlie position in Egypt have been circulated by German wireless messages, apparently with the object of inlluencing neutrals and Mahomniedans. The allegations are so ludicrous that they carry their own refutation * and create only amusement where the actual facts are known. One report states: "Quite serious trouble i s spreading amongst the Indian tvoops. Many have been sentenced to severe flogging* and others executed for the slightest ofl'ence. The Australian troops are ruthlessly shooting down their Indian servants. An Australian, Captain Brown, shot both his Indian servants who had been guilty of clumsiness. Two Indians who observed the event killed Captain Brown with their bayonets. A whole Indian regiment rose against its officers, the greater part of whom escaped by flight. Twelve were killed, including the commander and major. For two hours a sharp battle raged between ail Australian regiment and the mutineers, of whom a large number fled into the desert. Others were killed and wounded." Having been iu Egypt for nearly three months I am able to assert that the utmost tranquility prevails, except in regard to the German-engineered western Arab campaign, which lias practically ended with disastrous results to the latter, and the Turko-German expedition mpon the Canal, which has proved a costly failure. Far from being discontented,, thousands of Egyptians are engaged in supplying our army, and thousands of others are daily working cheerily ip conjunction ■ with Engli'-b, Australian, and New Zealand troops upon defensive works against the Turko-German menace. The loyalty of the Indian troops here, as on Gallipoli, has !:«<>n amply proved by their actions in ilie field and-tljeir faithful watch during the wearisome period of inactivity on the Canal.