MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1916, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

THE RUSSIAN CAVALRY. A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received May' 23, 5.5 p.m. London, May 23. The Russian cavalry that have readied the Tigris and joined up with General Gorringe's force, are probably General Baratoffs column which seized Kasrishbrin, near the Thrysh frontier, a fortnight ago. The Russians probably came from Kermanshah and Chardowar, over the Pushtikus hills to Bedrai, and then over the desert, a total distance of 200 miles, through country inhabited by hostile Kurdish hillsmen. The achievement is a remarkably dashing one.

CLEARING THE ENEMY, BRITISH MAKING PROGRESS. p . INTENSELY HOT WEATHER. ' Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports: In Mesopotamia we are elear of the enemy as far as Shatt-el-Hai, except small rearguards covering the Hai bridge, five hundred yards below the junction of the Tigris. Our main force on this side reached the line Magissis-Duj-Aidah on the north bank. The enemy is reported tv> be still occupying the Sanna-i-Yat position. The weather is intensely hot, the temperature during tlie last few days being over one hundred degrees in the s'hade.

GENERAL LAKE'S REPORT. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. Received May 23, 5.5 p.m. London, May 22. General Lake reports that the south bank jf the Tigris was clear of the enemy on Saturday at Shatte-i-Hai, except a small rearguard covering the bridge five hundred yards below the junction of the Hai with the Tigris. Our main force has reached tlie Maga-seis-Dujailah line. The enemy still occupies Sanna-i-Yat.

THE BRITISH PRISONERS. London, May 22. Official advices from Constantinople through the United States show that General Townshend and staff are quartered at Prinkepo Island, where they are allowed full liberty. • The majority of the prisoners are still at Kut and Bagdad, Some are going to Damascus.