MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1916, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

XHE TURKI/SH OPERATIONS. Received May 17, 5.5 p.m. tfetrograd, May 18. Jne occupation of Revanduza threatens the Turkish communications between Diarrbjsker and Mosul. It is believed that seven Turkish divisions are operating between Kut and Mosul. (Mosul is a town, with a population of 90,000, on the right bank of the Tigris, opposite the mounds of ancient Xineveh, and is 220 miles n.n.w. of Bagdad. The town, which i» still partly walled, was a prosperous one daring the 10th to 13th centuries, and was for long afterwards a great trading centre, being noted particularly for its manufactures of muslin, to which it gave its name. Its importance 'baa greatly declined since the opening of the Suez Canal and the rise of Bushire., The great mosque is the only remaining ancient building of interest. Mosul is the seat of a Jacobite patriarch, and is a prominent centre of Soman Catholic missionary activity.)

THE ENEMY ANXIOUS. AUSTRO-GERMAN AND BULGiAR ( " TROOPS SENT. ' Received May 17, 5.5 p.m. Rome, May 10. ' Advices from Bucharest state that the Cc-ntral Powers view the situation' in Asiatic Turkey as serious. They have despatched numerous Germans, Hungarians and Bulgarians tj» Asia, and two German divisions, and two Austrian and three Bulgarian regiments have passed ihrongh Constantinople during the last few days. • The departure of the troops led to disorders in Hungary aril Bulgaria, and there were several mutinies. TURKISH COMMUNICATIONS IMPERILLED. London, May 16. Newspapers, commenting on the Russian advance towards Mosul point out that ■ the communications of the- Turk* operating against the British, are imperilled. ANOTHER 'TOWN OCCUPIED. IPetrograd, May 16. The Russians have occupied MamaJutnm: ADVANCE CONTINUES. Received fclav 17 ( 9.15 p.m. Petrograd, May 10. Official: Tnc advance in the direction oi Mosul continues.