"RED" ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1920, Page 5

"RED" ADVANCE.

A DANGER TO PERSIA. SET-BACK TO BRITISH PRESTIGE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 20, 11.10 p.m. London, May 19. Despatches from Teheran indicate that much alarm has been caused owing to the Bolshevik advance from the Caspian Sea. It is known the Bolsheviks concentrated considerable forces on the shore of the Caspian since the fall of Baku and seizure of Denikin's ships. The situation is aggravated owing to the Anglo-Persian agreement not yet being in full operation. A small British military mission is engaged, in reorganising Persia's military system, but little progress has yet been madeIt is admitted British prestige * has suffered a set-back, and the situation is regarded with anxiety, particularly in view of the proximity of Teheran to the zone of Bolshevik influence.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

[A cable from London last week stated: The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Constantinople states that it is believed that the Bolsheviks have captured Tiflis, The Bolsheviks, after the capture of Baku, sent an -'ltimatum to the Government of the Armenian Republic at the £rivan. which lias apparently gone over to the enemy, the Armenians believing that they could expect no further protection from the Allies. The Russian 'Red' Army is also co-operating with Mustaplia Kemal, the Turkish Nationalist leader, so in sur : rendering to the Bolsheviks the Armenian Republic made terms with Mustaplia Kemal."]