MIDDLE EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1920, Page 5

MIDDLE EAST.

MESOPOTAMIAN POLICY. ' STRONGLY CRITICISED. By Telegraph.—press *As«n.—Copyright. Received August 2\ 2.10 p.m. London, August 21. The Times, in. a leader, says the result of the inherently foolish Mesopotamian policy is that Britain" is faced with the task of re-conquering the country. It is now disclosed that widespread and prolonged operations will be needed to deal with Jin upheaval extending from Mosul to ljl) miles from Basra. The enforcement of order may leave the natives permanently hostile to any form of British control. Mesopotamia is likely to become the Coalition Government's grave, unless its policy is radically changed. All the oil in Asia will not compensate for the lilies already lost and the hundreds of millions spent.—Times Service.

BRITISH SUCCESSES. •Delhi, .August 21. Severe fighting against the Bolsheviks and rebels in Persia continues, with further success to the British. While the British were attacking Kashin Eiy'i], Cossack forces made a detour by a mountain track further on the road to Menjil, and captured- six machine-guns and eighty prisoners. Thence the Cossacks proceedid to capture Menjil. The ejiemy are in full retreat to Resht. The British captured a Red Cross nurse working a machine-gun. The situation in Mesopotamia is undoubtedly serious, but there is no need for excessive alarm. Attacks on our forces at Hillah and on the Euphrates on Wednesday night were not pressed home. Our detachments at Samawe and Kufa, though isolated, are in a satisfactory position and in good spirits. We have withdrawn from Pah to Ramadi, but the line is held by local levies wider British officers. The position there is satisfactory. Railway communication between Bagdad and Feluja and north of Bagdad is satisfactory. Tribesmen are massing at Baquaha, where we hold Marshall's bridge, by which the railway crosses, the Diala. It will be some time before communication with Persia is restored. Some unrest exists in the Ivirpeck division. Elsewhere all is quiet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.