MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1920, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

BRITISH POLICY CHANCED. INDEPENDENCE AS WITH EGYPT. . By Ttltznph.—Pthb Assn.—Copyright. Received August 27, 7.50 p.m. London, August 26. _ Following on the Government's decision to contract, as far as possible, Britain's foreign obligations, Cabinet proposes, in addition to granting independence and self-government to Egypt under British influence, to withdraw the armies from Mesopotamia, granting the Arabs self-government under their own chiefs. Britain will abandon its ambitious system of civil administration., withdrawing the numerous Foreign Office officials recently sent out to India, but will maintain expert administrators to advise the Arabs. Sir Percy Cox is hurriedly going to Mesopotamia to inaugurate the new policy. Meanwhile, the Bagdad situation is not regarded as a danger.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE UNREST CONTINUES. CAPTURE OF POLITICAL OFFICERS. Received August 27, 8.35 p.m. Delhi, August 2!i. According to advices from Bagdad, Kijri has been attacked, and the political officer there captured. The political officer at Detawah was also captured, and taken to Daliabbas, where he is reported to be well treated. There are no fresh developments elsewhere. The indications are the insurgents' losses at Bauba were heavy, and they are dispersing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.